HVAC Tips and Tricks for Summer Energy Bill Savings

With the kind of summers we’re having these days, there is no way we’d let a day go by without running our AC system at home at full throttle. That, however, means we have to brace ourselves for a huge energy bill at the end of the month. Air conditioners are already beasts when it comes to energy consumption. With the sweltering days of recent summers, our AC units are poised to become full-on, power-devouring machines.

Here on Long Island—especially across Suffolk and Nassau Counties—summer humidity and heatwaves have become more intense in recent years. Many residents run their AC units non-stop just to stay comfortable. But we don’t have to pay a small fortune every time the energy bill is due. AC units might use a lot of electricity, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to get some energy savings in the summer. An AC tune-up, for example, can help guarantee that your air conditioning system will run more efficiently.

As your local property restoration experts, PuroClean of Huntington often sees how overworked HVAC systems and poor maintenance can lead to water damage, especially when condensation leaks go unnoticed. By following some practical steps, you can reduce your energy bill and prevent unnecessary HVAC-related damage to your home.

Here are some HVAC tips and tricks that will lead to energy savings for the summer.

More shade

With so much direct sunlight expected to hit your house during the summer, your home will become hotter and force your AC system to work harder and consume a lot more power in the process. By putting up more shade around your property, you should be able to deflect much of the sun’s rays. Curtains, drapes, and Venetian blinds should also be able to keep the sun out of your home as well.

For homes in Huntington and surrounding towns like Commack or Dix Hills, even planting trees or installing awnings on the sunniest sides of the house can make a noticeable difference. Local nurseries on Long Island offer great options for fast-growing shade trees that thrive in our climate.

Set the thermostat at 78 degrees

Instead of setting the thermostat to the low 70s, make it 78 degrees instead. It’s enough to keep you and everyone else cool. If you’re feeling a little hotter than usual, just sit still and let your body adjust to the temperature inside the room. You will feel more comfortable in a minute or two.

Long Island homeowners can also benefit from smart thermostats that adjust based on occupancy—many PSEG Long Island rebate programs can help reduce the upfront cost of upgrading to one.

Dress appropriately

Instead of turning the thermostat to near-freezing settings, why not just dress in a way that’s more appropriate for the weather, like wearing tank tops and shorts. You’ll feel so much cooler than if you wore more clothes and you won’t have to tinker with the thermostat.

In fact, PuroClean of Huntington technicians always recommend dressing for the season while indoors so your AC doesn’t have to do more than it needs to—especially if your HVAC system is older or prone to leaks.

Plug those leaks

One of the HVAC-related things that lead to huge energy costs is the presence of cracks, gaps, and holes through which the air that you’re paying money to cool readily escapes. So do what you can to plug those holes because you can’t expect not to spend much on your energy bill when your house is leaking.

In older homes common across Long Island—from Northport Victorians to Levittown ranches—drafts and gaps are a real issue. Simple caulking and weatherstripping around doors and windows can make a big difference. If you discover hidden water damage or mold growth while sealing up cracks, PuroClean of Huntington can assess and mitigate it before it worsens.

Keep your AC air filter clean

Even if you had an AC unit tune-up before summer set in, it would still be better if you keep the air filter clean just the same, particularly a month after you had maintenance done on the air conditioning unit. Your air filter will have gathered a nice layer of dirt and dust by then. Clean it to prevent all that dirt from impeding airflow and forcing your AC unit to work harder, which leads to higher energy bills.

This is especially important for Long Island households where pollen and humidity levels are high. A clogged filter can also increase moisture in the ducts—something PuroClean of Huntington has had to remediate multiple times due to mold buildup inside HVAC systems.

No lights during the day

While LED lights are efficient, the heat that they give off can still render an AC unit inefficient. You can stop them from contributing to the heat inside your home by keeping them turned off while the sun is still up unless you need them turned on, of course.

Natural light is abundant during Long Island summers, so take full advantage of it—especially during the long daylight hours of July and August.

Use ceiling fans instead of your AC

Every summer, there’ll be days that aren’t so hot, so pay attention to the weather forecasts, mark the expectedly cooler days, turn your ceiling fan on (if you have one), and give your AC system a break when those days come.

You can actually use any fan, but ceiling fans are more recommended since they do an excellent job of dispersing cool air more evenly.

Especially during cooler evenings in coastal towns like Port Jefferson or Bayville, turning off the AC and relying on fans with open windows can be a game-changer.

Keep your thermostat away from the heat

When your thermostat is getting hit by direct heat or is near any heat source, expect it to prod the AC unit to continue cooling the place and only tell it to rest once it senses that the temperature has gone down. With all that hard work, your AC unit is going to use a lot more energy and you’ll be paying a lot more money for it.

Put your thermostat in places where there are no heat-generating appliances anywhere nearby or where the sunlight won’t hit it.

If you’ve had renovations done or inherited a poorly-placed thermostat, a simple relocation can lead to big savings. If heat exposure has led to system malfunctions or water leaks, PuroClean of Huntington can help address the aftermath quickly and professionally.

Don’t cook inside, if possible

Conventional ovens and stoves contribute a lot to heat buildup inside the house, so how about cooking outside the house instead, at least during the day? If cooking outside is too hot for you, then cook inside the house using your microwave oven, which doesn’t generate heat.

Here on Long Island, summer barbecues are practically a tradition. Taking dinner prep to the grill not only saves you money on cooling—it’s a perfect way to enjoy the beautiful coastal evenings we get in towns like Huntington Bay or Babylon.

These are just a few of the tips and tricks that will prevent your energy bill from skyrocketing. Stick to them and you’ll surely see an improvement in your energy efficiency during the summer.

And if your HVAC system causes any water damage, condensation issues, or mold growth, PuroClean of Huntington is here to help. We proudly serve all of Suffolk and Nassau Counties with 24/7 emergency service. Call us at 631-402-9700 if you need professional assistance keeping your home safe and damage-free this summer.