Summer A/C Bill Savings

With the rising heat and increasing temperature during the Texas summer, many people may prefer to stay indoors. As you spend more time at home, your energy consumption increases, and naturally, your energy bill is on the rise too.

With the air conditioners running non-stop, is it possible to keep your energy usage in check while keeping cool? Here are some tips to help you save energy and money during the Texas summers.

Limit Energy Usage During Peak Hours

During peak hours, the electricity companies may charge a higher rate, as there is a greater demand on the electrical grid during this time. Also, your air conditioning unit is working harder to keep your home cool. Try to limit the use of appliances during peak hours, so it helps you save energy and money.

Activities like cooking, drying clothes, showering, etc., generate a lot of heat. It's best to cook, do laundry, shower, wash dishes, etc., during non-peak hours, especially on sweltering days. (Tanner, 2018)

Use Blackout Blinds or Curtains

A simple and effective way to keep the room or your home cool is to close the curtains or draw the shades. This helps keep the heat out, so the air conditioner is not working tirelessly to keep the room cool. You can also replace your current curtains with blackout blinds and reduce your air conditioning costs.

Replace the Thermostat

If you're using an old-fashioned thermostat, consider replacing it with a programmable one. You could choose one from the several options available today. A programmable thermostat helps you to establish a schedule, so your air conditioner is not cooling your home when you're not around.

Ideally, keeping the thermostat set to 78 degrees is considered a good balance between comfort and energy consumption. If you have pets at home, set your thermostat correctly, as they can overheat quickly during the summer. (Ullrich, 2020)

Manage the Thermostat

While getting the right thermostat is essential, it is equally important to install it at the right place. It's best to keep the thermostat away from direct sunlight and appliances that generate heat like the television, lamps, computers, refrigerators, etc.

Use Energy-Efficient Lighting

Switching to fluorescent or LED bulbs from regular bulbs can impact your energy bill significantly. Regular bulbs give off 10 percent light and 90 percent heat. On the other hand, fluorescent or LED bulbs give 10 percent heat and 90 percent light. These bulbs are not only energy-efficient but are also more long-lasting. (Moor, 2020)

Use Fans

A ceiling fan can make the room cooler at a fraction of the energy usage of an air conditioner. Sometimes a fan in itself might not be enough to cool the room during the day. However, using a fan in conjunction with an air conditioner can make the space more comfortable and allow you to raise the temperature on the thermostat by a couple of degrees.

Switch off Appliances When Not in Use

Did you know that many electronics may still draw power even when they're powered off? It's best to unplug devices when they're not in use to reduce energy costs.

Seal Gaps Around Doors and Windows

Sometimes even minor gaps around the door or window can let the warm air in and the cool air out. Ensure that your home is properly sealed on the doors and windows to help your air conditioner work effectively.

Get Your Air Conditioner Maintenanced

An efficient air conditioning unit can cool your home and help to save money and energy. Ensure that your filters are cleaned and replaced regularly. Also, check that the area around the outdoor unit is free from any debris. It's best to get a professional HVAC technician to ensure that your air conditioning unit is functioning well and as efficiently as possible.

Texas Comfort Solutions is here to ensure your air conditioning system is always operating at peak performance. Whether you need service, repair, or replacement, we will help with quality and affordable air conditioning solutions for you and your family's comfort.

What Texas Comfort Solutions Offers You

Texas Comfort Solutions is focused and committed to giving you honest HVAC services at a fair price. We're a local veteran and family-owned business dedicated to treating you and your home with care, respect, and integrity. Our team of reliable and experienced technicians has been repairing, maintaining, and installing HVAC systems in the Houston area since 2004.

Whether you're looking for a system check-up or a completely new system upgrade, we're here to help you with all your air conditioning and heating needs. To get in touch with us, visit https://www.txcomsol.com/ or call us at (832) 597-4191.

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Works Cited

Tanner, Chris. "Chris Tanner." Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, 2018,

neep.org/blog/10-ways-beat-heat-save-money-your-energy-bill-summer.

Ullrich, Geoff. "Top 10 Energy Saving Tips for Summers in Texas." Germania Insurance, 2020,

germaniainsurance.com/blogs/post/germania-insurance-blog/2020/08/10/top-10-summer-energy-saving-tips.

Moor, Ashley. "23 Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill This Summer and Reduce A/C Costs." Best Life, 9 July 2020,

bestlifeonline.com/ways-to-bring-down-a-c-bill/.