Spring 2014 Newsletter Volume 6 Number 1
Air Conditioning Comfort Myths
Myth #1: Turning the thermostat way down will cool your home faster. Your air conditioner (A/C) will deliver air at the same rate, regardless of your different temperature setting. It runs at the same output until the temperature on the thermostat is satisfied. So it is best to just set the thermostat at your desired temperature.
Myth #2: You save money by closing registers in unused rooms. By closing the registers in unused areas of your home, you are increasing the pressure in the duct system. This increase in pressure will cause more conditioned air to be forced out of leaky ductwork, costing you money. Also, the extra pressure can add stress to your equipment, leading to an increased risk of system failure.
Myth #3: It doesn’t matter which way your ceiling fan goes when using it to reduce your utility bill. Running ceiling fans counter-clockwise provides a cooling breeze; thus you are able to set your thermostat higher. By doing so, fans can help lower utility bills by reducing the amount of run time for your air conditioner.
Myth #4: You save money by turning you’re A/C off during the day while at work. If you turn your A/C off before you leave to work and turn it back on when you get home, it will have to work extra hard to dehumidify and cool your home. This can end up costing you more money and putting extra stress on your equipment, possibly leading to more maintenance. You’re better off getting a programmable thermostat and just adjusting the temperature setting for while you are gone.
Bright Idea – Using a programmable thermostat properly can reduce energy bills, but turning back your thermostat too much can increase your bills because you’re A/C has to work so much harder to remove humidity and get back to your desired temperature. This is especially true during the really hot days.
Myth #5: You’re better off getting a larger A/C because it will cool faster and better. Having an A/C that is too large for your home will result in higher operating cost and less comfort. This is because your system will turn on and off more frequently, not allowing the unit to run long enough to remove humidity. A properly sized system will dehumidify better and provide more even temperatures throughout your home.
Spring Energy Saving Tips
Saving money and energy can become an easy part of your daily activities, if you know what to look for. As an individual, your efficient use of energy provides benefits such as lower utility bills, improved home comfort and a reduced environmental footprint. Following are a few energy saving tips for the warm months ahead!
1) Set your thermostat at 75°F or higher – you can save approximately 1-2% on your energy bills for every 1°F increase on your thermostat setting.
2) Use room or ceiling fans – running your ceiling fan on a counter-clockwise operation, provides a cooling breeze and circulates your conditioned air; allowing you to increase your thermostat setting.
3) Shade your windows – close blinds, shades, and/or drapes to reduce the solar heat gain from the sun; thus reducing the load on your air conditioner.
4) Keep filters clean – make sure your air handler (furnace) filter is clean; doing so will allow for better operating efficiency of your air conditioner.
5) Keep registers and cold-air returns clear from blockage – this will ensure for better operation of your heating and cooling system.
6) Use exhaust fans to remove heat and humidity – removing heat and moisture from cooking and showering will reduce cooling and dehumidification costs, while improving your indoor air quality.
Pharo Heating & Cooling feels it is our responsibility to provide information to our customers that gives them the knowledge needed to make better decisions about their heating and/or cooling system(s).
To learn more about energy saving tips and how you can save, visit pharoheating.com, http://www.focusonenergy.com, or http://www.energystar.gov.
