Air conditioning plays an important role in making homes, businesses and workplaces comfortable and enjoyable. However, as any homeowner or electrician in Miami knows, air conditioning systems use a lot of electricity to keep indoor air at a pleasant temperature. In order to keep summer electric bills as affordable as possible, it is important to take some basic steps to help an air conditioning system to run more efficiently.
Clean the Unit
Air conditioner units can become partially clogged with dust, dirt and other debris. This clogging works to reduce the energy efficiency of a cooling system. In order to maintain peak performance, an air conditioner should be cleaned at least once a year. Both whole house and window air conditioners need an annual cleaning. A well maintained air conditioner will not only use less energy, it will also do a better job of keeping a home comfortable.
Close Curtains
During the daylight hours, the energy from the sun can quickly heat up a room. This is especially true when the sunlight is magnified passing through glass windows. A simple way to reduce the amount of solar energy that enters a home is to close the curtains and / or blinds during the day to block the light. For added benefit, a window tinting can also be placed on the glass to reduce thermal transfer into the home.
Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is simply an electronic thermostat that allows homeowners to choose different temperature settings throughout the day. For example, a thermostat could be set to a relatively high temperature during the day when everyone is out of the house, but to a lower temperature in the late afternoon when people begin to arrive home. This will keep the home comfortable without wasting energy keeping the home cool during the heat of the day. A Miami electrician can typically install a programmable thermostat in less than hour.