As if you did not know it, summer is already here weather-wise. If your house is not ready to handle the hot, humid days of summer, these are some simple steps suggested by Duke Energy, the electric service provider in much of the OurSeniors.net coverage area.
- Hire a qualified professional to inspect and clean your air conditioning system. If your system is older or in need of repair, consider upgrading to a new Energy Star certified unit. These new air conditioners are far more efficient than older models. This can make a huge difference in your summer electric bill.
- Adjusting temperatures is the most effective way to reduce your cooling costs. Try to adjust your thermostat up by one degree each day until you reach a level at which you are no longer comfortable. Set the thermostat one degree cooler and try to keep the setting no lower. This is very much dependent on the size of your home and factors like insulation, but a one-degree difference in temperature can increase or decrease summer electric bills significantly.
- Install a Wi-Fi thermostat. These devices make it easy to automatically adjust temperatures throughout the day. Remember to adhere to the limit you set in step 2.
- Consider a dehumidifier. These devices are much cheaper to operate than air conditioners, and they may make a higher temperature seem far more pleasant.
- Check around windows and exterior doors for gaps where conditioned air can escape. Seal any gaps you find with weather stripping for doors and caulk for windows.
- Check your home’s insulation. Make sure that your walls and attic are insulated according to levels recommended for Florida’s climate zone. A qualified insulation contractor, armed with an infrared camera, can inspect your home to ensure that it’s insulated properly.
- Change to LED lightbulbs. The old incandescent bulbs give off a lot of heat, wasting energy and making your cooling system work that much harder. High efficiency LED bulbs are cool to the touch, giving your air conditioner a little relief.
- If you are going to be away from home for more than a day, adjust your thermostat up to save energy. There is little point in maintaining a temperature of 78 degrees in your house if you are not going to be there. Most authorities do not recommend turning the air conditioning completely off in Florida (it may encourage the growth of mold) but set the temperature up to 84 – 85 degrees.
Have a great summer and remember to depend on the OurSeniors.net Family for help with any senior-related needs. Serving the needs of seniors is our business! You can contact an OurSeniors.net Advisor by phone at 866-333-2657 (se habla Español), or Contact Us. Check out our website at Ourseniors.net and take an online look at our senior living magazine, OurSeniors.net Magazine.
