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If those don’t help, have your cooling equipment repaired right away. Covering greenhouse glass windows with one or two layers of plastic cancut heat loss by 50%. The extra barrier the plastic materials create can also reduce thermal infiltration.
Thus, one of the easiest ways to reduce waste in your cooling bill is to shut your lower-level AC vents and open the upper-level vents. Or vice versa, depending on where you spend the majority of the day. When you aren’t letting the outside in, keep your shades pulled to reduce heat indoors.
Install a ceiling fan.
Yes, owning an AC unit and a corporal body both require annual checkups. It’s a wise choice to get a professional to examine your AC unit, especially if you have a central air conditioning system. At least once a year, enlist an expert’s advice on your AC. Any problems left unchecked will lead to a malfunctioning AC unit. How’s an AC unit going to help if it’s behind a couch? If you insist that your furniture stay put, small plastic vents can redirect the air flow up.
If you forgot to latch the vents, then follow the next tip. Experiment with fine-tuning the exact temperature to establish as a default. Start with an objective setting, and fiddle around by shifting the degree up or down until you’re satisfied. Start at around 77 degrees and see if you can tolerate a higher setting.
Bedroom Decor Upgrades To Make You Love Your Space
Aside from blinds, curtains are a great way to let in light while blocking the direct sun. Blackout curtains take this one step further by blocking sunlight almost completely and is much more effective at keeping your space cool. You may not realize that your ceiling fan needs to be adjusted seasonally. Set to run counter-clockwise in the summer at a higher speed, the fan’s airflow will create a wind-chill breeze effect that will make you and your guests feel cooler. Thermostat placement can have a significant impact on how your air conditioner functions throughout the day and thus, how much you're paying for monthly air conditioning bills.
And that is especially true if you don’t have good ventilation. Applying a fresh coat of paint on your roof will not just improve the appearance, but also make your house much cooler. But you can’t just paint your roof any color you desire. Doing so would ensure your roof reflects as much heat as possible and absorbs very little.
Opt for natural fibres
For floor or table fans, mimic the effect of the air conditioner by placing a fan in front of a bowl of ice. If you have ceiling fans, adjust them to turn counter-clockwise during the summer months. In the last year I’ve added two exhaust fans, one at each end of the house, and two ceiling fans. Fingers crossed I am hoping to reduce my cooling bill 20% over last year.
They can easily set you back almost 40p an hour, which means you can rack up electricity costs of £20 a week or more — even if you have it on for less than half the time. As a general rule of thumb, fans with blades tend to be cheaper to buy but use more energy — especially large ones. Tower fans are cheaper to run, but more expensive to buy and can be less effective. Meanwhile, bladeless fans can cost a fortune, but tend to be effective, and cost less to run than bladed ones. For the vast majority of the time, keeping cool isn’t something we have to worry about in the UK — if push comes to shove we can open a window or take a jumper off.
Make sure they don’t freeze entirely or they won’t fit. Experiment with different solutions and find which works best for you. A basement offers a glacial gift to anyone fleeing the heat. You’ve tried life on the surface world – why not move underground?
Don’t worry about those dry days of summer when it comes to fan speed. It never hurts to augment the cooling power of AC with a room fan. Ceiling fans represent a beloved permanent fixture, but a trusty portable fan also works wonders. Fans increase general air circulation, preventing air from stagnating and accumulating unwanted heat. Combined with an AC unit, fans create the perfect conditions for cooperative cooling.
Make sure no precious cold air seeps out in undesirable places. This article was originally published on July 10, 2013. It was updated on May 24, 2021 with new links, a new photo, a new section on ceiling fans, and updated information. It was also edited to reflect Lifehacker’s current style guidelines.
The repayment terms and interest rate may vary from time to time. The terms represented here are based on certain assumptions outlined below and/or noted on the loan outline page. Additional details concerning privacy, program disclosures, licensing specifics may be found at migonline.com Legal Information. Plugged in electronics generate heat even when they’re off or not in use, which can make an already hot home even hotter.
Cut back on direct sunlight and you’ll naturally reduce the heat within your home. This tactic also eases the load on your AC, saving energy and money. A larger electrical bill from a colossal AC unit will weigh you down. Unless you’re migrating through every room, maybe avoid cooling the whole house. Settle down in a room with a portable AC unit and create a mini-oasis, without wasting electricity.
Instead, their efficiency is based on the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor and the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio . To avoid confusion, your best bet is to just look for a heat pump that is Energy Star certified . A heat pump’s effectiveness is directly affected by weather conditions.
Keep windows sealed.
Once you come home, just power the AC back on, and let it work its magic. Managing the network of conduits for your central air conditioning system requires a keen eye and a trusty roll of duct tape. Check the integrity of the ducts and repair any holes you encounter. Your ducts likely course through your attic or basement.
