How Can I Chill out This Summer?

Passive solutions, like closing curtains or blinds, can go a long way in keeping your house cool in the summer. (l i g h t p o e t/Shutterstock)

By Paul F. P. Pogue From Ask Angi

For much of the nation, keeping homes cool is one of the most energy-intensive tasks around the house, consuming about 6% of all electricity in the United States. Because of that, your cooling system is often foremost on your mind in summer. Here are four questions to ask yourself to chill out this summer and lower your energy bills.

1. Is My HVAC System the Right Size?

You might think that the solution to home cooling is a bigger and more robust system, but an extra-sized air conditioning system is less effective at cooling than one correctly sized for your home. Heating and air conditioning units measure their ability to add or remove heat from a home in British thermal units (BTUs). Air conditioners are rated per ton, which removes 12,000 BTUs per hour from the home. Every house’s needs are unique, and you can’t measure BTU just by square footage. An HVAC pro can perform the necessary calculations and recommend a system the right size for your home. Too much AC power can be as bad as too little, leading to extremes in temperature and decreased humidity control.

2. Is My HVAC Infrastructure in Good Shape?

The most efficient AC can’t help your home if the chilled air can’t get to or stay where it belongs. That’s why basic weatherstripping makes a big difference. Check your windows and doors for any leaks where air might be leaking. If your home uses traditional ducts, consider hiring a pro to perform an inspection. Air ducts often go without maintenance for years, but even a minor gap in your ducts can seriously drop efficiency. A simple duct repair can save a lot in energy costs.

A duct inspection can identify areas where you're losing air and energy in your HVAC system. (Dreamstime/TNS)

3. How Can a Multistage or Zoned System Help Me?

Traditional HVAC units work at two speeds: on or off. You can purchase more advanced models that operate with two or three power stages. Running a lower level of heating or cooling constantly throughout the day can maintain a comfortable temperature. This saves energy compared to continually turning on and off. However, these models will cost more.

An HVAC zoning system can also lower energy costs. Zoning provides different temperatures for different parts of the house. You can have just two zones, upstairs and downstairs, or pay more for extra zoning. This gives you added comfort and flexibility. It can also save energy. For instance, you can send less hot or cold air to bedrooms during the day, when they’re not in use.

4. What Else Can I Do to Cool Off?

The best cooling system is the one you need to use the least. You’ll increase comfort and save energy costs by utilizing passive techniques to cool off the home and lower humidity, thus requiring your system not to work as hard. Running fans throughout the house will keep the air moving and reduce stuffiness. (Make sure to set your ceiling fans to the clockwise position for the best effect.) Have an insulation pro take a look at your walls; older insulation is less effective and wastes energy.

Windows tend to increase heat in the home. Use blinds, curtains or window film to cover them during the day and keep sunlight from heating up your home.

Try not to run heat-generating appliances, such as clothes dryers and ovens, during the day; they’ll pour heat into the living area and make your system work harder.

Tweet your home care questions with #AskAngi and we’ll try to answer them in a future column.

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