Summer Energy Efficiency Tips And Checklist

Summer is heating up here in western Massachusetts, and with most of us home more than usual, that’s sure to mean higher than normal cooling bills.

If you want to keep those bills as low as possible, here are the best ways to do it.

Home Efficiency List

Cooling system

• If you haven’t gotten one in more than a year, schedule an A/C tune-up to keep your equipment efficiently and reliably; for an even better value, sign up for an FSi A/C service plan, which includes repair discounts, priority service, and more

Vents

• Close cooling vents in unused rooms and in the basement
• Move any items or furniture that might block airflow from your vents
• Check your A/C filter once a month, replacing or cleaning it (depending on the model – see your owner’s manual for details) as necessary

Thermostat

• Target a thermostat setting of 78 degrees when people are home to get the best balance of comfort and energy savings; raise the thermostat six or seven degrees when no one is home

Doors

• Keep doors closed between conditioned and unconditioned spaces
• Draft-proof interior doors to keep cool air from escaping into unconditioned spaces
• Weatherize exterior doors to prevent heat from entering the house
• Keep interior doors between conditioned rooms open as much as possible to promote cross ventilation (run ceiling fans, too – see below)

Windows

• Caulk exterior window frames to keep heat from entering the house
• Consider adding reflective or insulated window treatments to prevent solar gain; you can learn more about energy efficient window treatments here

Attic

• Consider adding insulation to stabilize your home climate and help reduce your cooling load
• Use an attic fan to circulate and vent rising hot air from the house

Dehumidifier

• If you have a whole house dehumidifier, have it serviced; if you don’t have one, consider adding one to your HVAC system. Dropping indoor humidity levels to 40 or 50 percent in the summer will help you keep the thermostat a few degrees higher; for every degree you raise the temperature in your home, you can save up to three percent on your cooling bill.

Ceiling fans

• Run ceiling fans to keep air circulating, especially if you have A/C; by doing so you can raise your thermostat by three to four degrees with no loss in comfort
• Reset the direction of your fan blades to draw cooler air up into the room rather than pushing hot air back down (see manufacturer’s instructions for how to reverse the direction of your fan blades)

Fireplace

• Close your fireplace damper to prevent heat from entering through the chimney

Want to find more ways to save on energy bills throughout the year? FSi can help. Contact us today to learn more about high efficiency home comfort equipment installations in Greater Springfield, MA, plus air conditioner service, heating service, and more.