When the heat outside cranks up, your AC often does the same indoors. Using innovative options to stay comfortable without overworking your system can prevent your energy bills from rising similarly. At Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Peoria, IL, we help homeowners fine-tune their cooling habits and make adjustments that lead to real savings.
Use Fans to Give Your AC a Break
Fans don’t cool air, but they circulate it through your space, which makes your body feel cooler. That helps because it means your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to keep you comfortable. A ceiling fan spinning in the correct direction pulls warm air up in the summer so it doesn’t hang around your head. Even a small box fan in the corner of a room can make a noticeable difference.
You’ll be able to set your thermostat a few degrees higher without feeling stuffy. That might not sound like much, but even one or two degrees can result in significant savings each month. If you’re using a window unit, pairing it with a fan helps the cool air reach more parts of the room, rather than just the area in front of the unit.
Keep the Heat Outside Where It Belongs
Your AC works harder when hot air gets in. That might sound obvious, but that heat sneaks in through places you don’t think about. Sunlight streaming through windows heats floors and furniture, and all that warmth stays even after the sun goes down. Using blinds or curtains can prevent that heat transfer and help cool things off.
The thick fabric keeps the sun’s rays from turning your home into an oven. Also, check for places where hot air might slip through, such as cracks around windows or gaps in doors. You don’t need to be an expert to notice where the air feels warmer or light peeks in. Draft blockers and weatherstripping are quick fixes that help keep your space cooler without adjusting the thermostat.
Program Your Thermostat To Work Smarter
Cooling your home when nobody’s there wastes energy fast. A programmable thermostat can help you stop that without needing to remember to adjust it every time you leave. You can set a schedule that cools the house when you’re home and lets it rise a bit when you’re not.
For example, you can set it to go higher during work hours and kick back on shortly before you get home. That way, your space is cool when you walk in, but you’re not cooling an empty house all day. If you have a smart thermostat, you can adjust the settings from your phone.
Clean Filters Will Help Move Cool Air Faster
When your AC filter gets dirty, your system has to work harder to push air through. That adds strain, raises your bill, and can make some rooms feel warmer than others. You might not notice the change right away, but after a few weeks or months, that layer of dust starts blocking airflow more than you’d think.
Checking your filter once a month during the summer is a smart habit. If it looks gray and fuzzy, it’s probably time to swap it out. A clean filter keeps things moving smoothly and helps your system do its job without struggling. It also helps keep the air inside your home cleaner, which is a bonus if you struggle with allergies or have pets. If you’ve been running your AC nonstop and still feel warm, this might be one of the easiest fixes.
Cook Less Indoors on Hot Days
Your stove and oven give off a lot of heat, even after you’re done cooking. That heat sticks around and makes your AC work harder to cool everything down again. On hot days, try cooking outside on the grill or using a microwave or slow cooker instead. These give off less heat and won’t turn your kitchen into a sauna. Even boiling water for pasta can raise the temperature in smaller spaces. You don’t have to give up real meals, but thinking about how your cooking adds heat to your home can help you make smarter choices. If you do need to use the stove, crack a window or run your kitchen fan while cooking. That extra airflow helps push some of that heat out instead of letting it build up indoors.
Save Money on AC Costs This Summer
Keeping your home cool doesn’t mean you need to blast the AC all day or stress about your energy bill every time the forecast climbs. Minor adjustments add up, especially when you know what to look for. We also offer energy-saving upgrades like duct sealing, smart thermostats, and routine HVAC maintenance. Our maintenance program can help you take the stress out of planning for routine tune-ups!
If you want to help dial in your cooling strategy or need a professional to take a look, the team at Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. is ready when you are.
