GREENVILLE Blog

6 Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Cool Off This Summer in Greenville

North and South Carolina residents have seen some of the hottest temperatures this summer. It can be difficult to keep your home at a comfortable temperature without worrying about how much the weather is impacting your energy bills. It’s important not to fall into common mistakes when keeping your home cool this season.

1. Running the AC All Day

When trying to cool off, homeowners are likely to make sacrifices to their budget in favor of comfort; one of the worst offenses is to let the AC run all day. However, modern air conditioners are designed to turn on and off every few hours. Reduce the strain on your system by making small adjustments throughout the day to improve savings while staying comfortable.

Keep in mind, though, that you shouldn't let the house get too hot. Basically, don't turn the AC off entirely just to wait to get uncomfortable and then crank the thermostat back down. The unit will need to work longer to reach that temperature. Realistically, shift the temperature about 3 or 4 degrees in order to allow the system to cool the area before taking a break to save energy.

When you leave the house for work or errands, raise the temperature on your thermostat rather than turning the unit off entirely. If you have trouble shifting to this new habit, a programmable thermostat or smart thermostat can help to automatically adjust the temperature based on set parameters to improve efficiency.

1. Setting the Thermostat Too Low

One of the reasons the air conditioner may be running all day is because the temperature is set too low. There’s a myth that this might cool down your home faster and you can just raise the thermostat when you’re more comfortable. Unfortunately, not only do most people forget to make that adjustment after they’re comfortable, but the myth is also untrue.

Setting the temperature lower doesn’t help to cool down the house faster; your unit won’t output more or cooler air if the thermostat is set to past a certain degree. Instead, it will blow conditioned air at the same rate for a longer time until the desired temperature is met.

When you forget to readjust the temperature, you're wasting energy. This not only raises your regular energy costs but can also put a strain on the unit which can lead to more frequent maintenance needs. Make sure the keep the thermostat to your desired temperature and adjust accordingly throughout the day.

1. Blocking Vents in Unused Rooms

Do you have rooms that are barely used in your house, such as a guest room or a storage area? You may be tempted to close off vents in these areas. Some homeowners believe that doing so will help to redirect ventilation, providing more cool air to rooms that have more activity.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case - especially for homes with modern central AC. When you close or block these vents, you can actually increase the risk of damage or complications with your ventilation system and air quality. It’s also another way to increase the strain on your air conditioning unit.

Central A/C is generally designed to cool the whole house as opposed to just cooling off specific rooms. When you have irregular temperatures in the warmer rooms that you’ve closed off, the air conditioner continues to run until the desired temperature is met. Make sure the vents around your home are clear and cleaned regularly to maximize their efficiency, regardless of what room they’re in.

1. Leaving Blinds and Curtains Open for Light

First, it’s important to make one clarification: opening certain blinds and curtains around the house is a common and effective practice to let in natural light. It’s a great alternative to keeping every light on in your home. This practice can help you to reduce your electricity bill without having to remember to turn the lights off when you leave a room.

Unfortunately, you have to keep in mind that during the hotter months, natural light also means an increase in heat. When you uncover the windows that are facing the sun, the direct sunlight will heat up the room significantly.

Open curtains on the windows that aren’t getting direct sunlight to help reduce the incoming heat. You can also leave these curtains and blinds cracked overnight to help the heat escape outside. For alternative solutions, there are also energy-efficient light bulbs that are both easier on your eyes and your energy bills when compared to older fluorescent lights.

1. Neglecting Regular Maintenance

Have you noticed an increase in your regular heating and cooling costs? When bills go up, you may decide to cut back on necessary home maintenance requirements. Although this is in an effort to cut down on expenses, this could be a counterintuitive practice.

Regular inspections and maintenance need to be scheduled throughout the year. This is for everything from your HVAC unit to the ventilation systems. If left for too long, the resulting unexpected repairs and failures can end up costing you even more than the initial expense.

You can compare the situation to your car's routine maintenance. The oil, tires, and air filters should all be regularly changed to ensure your vehicle is running efficiently. When neglected, you're going to pay more to repair any damages that are caused by the old and deteriorated materials. This principle applies to your house, albeit on a larger scale: regular evaluations and replacements are saving you more money in the long run.

1. Ignoring Signs of Deteriorated Insulation

There’s one practice that can reduce the impact of the rest of the issues on this list: upgrading your insulation. Old and deteriorated materials throughout the house can allow for conditioned air to escape. The conditioned air is then replaced by heat from outside, a major source of your discomfort.

There are a few simple signs that can indicate damaged or deteriorated insulation. If you notice irregular temperatures throughout the house or that the AC unit needs to turn on again soon after shutting off, it’s time to schedule an evaluation. These inspections uncover hidden damages and old material that needs to be removed and replaced.

Inadequate coverage, poorly installed material, or even problems like moisture and pest infestation can be hiding in plain sight. Insulation needs to be added to important places like within your walls, between ceiling joists, and even under floorboards. This reduces the need to run the air conditioning as often and saves you on monthly heating and cooling bills.

Avoid Common Household Mistakes To Start Increasing Savings

You shouldn’t have to suffer through these extreme temperatures just to cut back on monthly expenses. Koala Insulation of Greenville offers free evaluations so you and your household can make informed decisions based on the current condition of your insulation and air sealing. With these details, you can take into account your current schedule and budget before making significant changes with the guidance of local Greenville area experts. Contact your local experts at Koala Insulation of Greenville to schedule your free evaluation and learn more about how you can improve your comfort, safety, and savings.