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An air conditioner is the biggest
user of electricity in your home and it greatly affects your total
monthly electric bill.
Follow these tips for real savings.
- Schedule a tune-up for your air conditioning system to
make sure it is operating as efficiently as possible and that is
has enough refrigerant to cool properly. If the freon level were
low, your air conditioning unit could run much more often and could
double your cooling cost.
- Make sure your windows and doors are tightly closed when
running the air conditioner: keep hot air out and cool air in.
- If you have window units, close off rooms not in use and
turn off the air conditioners in them.
- Fix any air leaks around the window where the window unit
is placed.
- Replace weather stripping and caulking around windows,
doors and other areas to improve the efficiency of your air
conditioner.
- Install foam gaskets on power outlets and light switches
located on outside walls.
- Use window coverings (blinds and drapes) during the day,
especially on the east and west sides of the house.
- Turn window blinds up instead of down.Use white blinds
instead of darker colors. White reflects light and heat,while dark
colors absorb them. White blinds can reduce solar heat gain through
windows by up to 50 percent.
- Install reflective film or solar screens on your windows.
Run your dishwasher and clothes dryer in the evening (when the
temperature in the house is cooler) to reduce the strain on the air
conditioner system.
- Wash or replace monthly the filters in the window unit for
greater efficiency. If you have a central unit, the air intake
filters should be changed monthly. A dirty filter restricts airflow
and could increase cost of your air conditioning system. A good
reminder is to change the filter each time you receive your
electric bill.
- Use fans to circulate cool air. You can get a "wind chill"
effect of 3 to 4 degrees with fans, so you can turn your thermostat
up.
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