As the temperatures soar in San Antonio, so does your energy bill. During the summer months, air conditioning can contribute to over 50% of your energy bill – which is why you want to make sure that your AC system is running effectively.
Here at Bravo Heating and Air Conditioning, we know how important reliable air conditioning is when the temperatures climb in San Antonio. Here are a few friendly tips we’ve compiled to help you save energy and money!
Air-Related Energy Usage
In the last several years, Texas’ power grid hit record peaks as triple digit temperatures came in waves. When the summer heat comes up, you’ll want to use your air conditioner the most. When it comes to saving energy, here are some best practices to keep in mind.
Set Your Thermostat Correctly
When it warms up outside, you may want to rush to turn down the thermostat. However, in higher temperatures, putting the system at a lower setting uses the most energy.
When you are home, set the thermostat to around 78 degrees and when you’re away, bump it up to the mid-80s. When you set the control above 80 degrees in the summertime, this helps save costs by 2-3%.
Installing a smart thermostat can also help save you money on monthly energy costs, as it automatically adjusts the temperature without you having to make adjustments yourself!
Use Ceiling Fans To Your Advantage
In addition to your HVAC unit, fans can help keep you cool during the summer. You can use fans to your benefit – in fact, knowing how to use fans effectively can help save money and keep the air flowing without relying heavily on your HVAC system.
Turning your AC’s fan to “auto” instead of “on” makes the unit’s fan shut off when the system isn’t cooling. Using the auto function can help shave off $15-$20 on your energy bill. Keeping your vents open also helps air flow easily throughout your space.
Let’s go inside the home real quick and look at the ceiling fan. Did you know that the small switch on your ceiling fan has a purpose? In the summer, set your ceiling fan to turn counterclockwise so the blades can bring cool air down and bring a breeze to you. This helps keep a consistent temperature all day!
When you leave a room, however, make sure to keep energy conservation in mind and turn off the fan. The fan is helpful to you as a person, but when it comes to your room, leave that to the AC to cool it off!
Benefits Of Conserving Energy
When you cut back energy usage, it also helps the environment. Improved indoor air quality helps you breathe better and reduces symptoms of indoor allergies.
Along with making the thermostat and fan changes, investing in maintenance for your energy-efficient HVAC system is important to keep it working effectively. If you start to notice that your system is falling behind in hot temperatures, it may be time for an HVAC tune-up.
We’re Your San Antonio HVAC Maintenance Experts!
Bravo Heating and Air Conditioning is here to help keep you cool when the temperatures hit 100! It can be hard to keep up in the Texas heat, and you don’t want your HVAC system to fall behind.
When it comes to getting your AC checked, it’s best practice to schedule maintenance service once a year, preferably before the weather starts to heat up. We want to keep San Antonio cool – so if you’re looking to get an HVAC tune-up, contact us today and schedule with one of our trustworthy technicians!
