During the hot summer months, the cost of air conditioning in Rochester can skyrocket. Luckily, you can save money on air conditioning by applying a few simple strategies. Before you buy an air conditioner, create a list of essential features. This will help during the research phase when you’re shopping around Rochester to find the perfect unit for your home or workplace.
Consider the size of the home or business that you are looking to keep cool comfortably and efficiently. If the space is large, you might want to spend a little extra money on a more efficient unit to help with savings on your monthly energy bill. Also, it’s important to check the SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency ratio. The number should be 13 or higher. Even though efficient units cost more initially, over time they will save you money by using less power to keep your house or building at the right temperature. If the current system you are using has a SEER of 8 or lower, it is worth replacing.
Once you have your unit or system in place, small adjustments can help minimize your air conditioning costs. Always keep any source of heat away from your thermostat, so that your air conditioner won’t kick in unnecessarily. Keeping curtains drawn to prevent the sun from heating your house, as well as placing plants around the outside of your home to provide shade and natural cooling can lower the amount you pay by as much as 30 percent.
Remember to turn off any lights you don’t need and power down electronics like computers and printers to help reduce energy costs. Also, you can replace light bulbs with energy efficient ones that give off less heat. Lastly, try to wait to run your washing machine, dryer, or dishwasher until after dark, when the outside temperature drops.
The summer months are short here in Rochester but it can often cost more to cool your home than it does to heat during our long winter months. So, try some of these energy saving tips this summer when it’s hot outside!
