9 Ways to Lower Your Energy Bills this Summer in Maryland
Every summer, we hear the same question from our clients: How can I lower my energy bills without turning off the AC?
In Maryland, no homeowner wants to turn off the AC. Even when temperatures are low, the humidity is high, and it can feel muggy, sticky, and just plain uncomfortable. So, if you’re trying to lower your energy bills without turning off the AC, we can help.
Check out 9 ways to lower your energy bills this Summer and contact us for personalized service if you want an extra boost – a $90 heating and cooling check could be the difference in major savings this season.
1. Schedule a Maintenance Check
It doesn’t matter if you’ve waited to do it; the time is now! Call any month, even July or August, for a maintenance check on your AC unit. Professional techs can check the refrigerant levels and clean your coils to maximize efficiency (and help prevent breakdowns). HVAC maintenance checks can save you money all-year long, so call any time.
While you wait, clean the air filter and check for any leaks or uneven cooling you feel. You can begin to troubleshoot common reasons an AC leaks water to help diagnose the problem. Let techs know you’re trying to lower your energy bills this summer, and they can help with a personalized recommendation plan for your home’s size, family’s needs, and local weather.
2. Block Out the Sun
Although the view may be beautiful and the natural light tempting, letting the sun in actually warms up your house considerably and can make it harder to cool down. During the day, especially when you’re not home, close all the curtains, shades, and shutters. Try to only let in natural light that is indirect from the sun.
Tip: For extra savings, invest in blackout or temperature control curtains. The thicker material keeps the heat from the sun at bay while keeping the cool air circulating inside. You can find them at most in-person big-box stores or online retailers.
3. Drafty Gaps Let in Maryland Humidity
Gaps around windows and doors are not just an energy efficient problem in the winter. For Maryland homeowners and renters alike, humidity may be the number one reason your home feels warm and uncomfortable. Drafts let in the humidity and lower the efficiency of your AC unit.
At the end of Spring, check all doors and windows for where the air feels particularly warm – get window sealant (plastic wrap or equivalent) and door stoppers to help keep the hot air out and the cool air in.
4. Dehumidifiers Cut Humidity and Heat
Even if your home is reading a low temperature, it can feel warm and stuffy. A lot of Maryland homeowners aren’t battling the summer heat – they are battling summer humidity. Along with fans, blackout curtains, and sealed gaps, dehumidifiers can make a big difference.
Invest in small dehumidifiers for rooms you use most, or ask about an entire home system. The comfort will be drastically improved, and you’ll be able to relax while saving money.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Use Fans
Circulating air is one of the best ways to keep your home cooler without using the AC unit consistently (and it helps with that pesky humidity). Set the AC even one to two degrees warmer and use fans to help circulate the cool air. Whether it’s rotating fans, ceiling fans, or bladeless fans, they can do a lot to help cool your home and lower energy bills.
Bonus! New bladeless fans are quieter and fit the ambiance of new homes. If you like a breeze but don’t enjoy the sound or look of a fan, check out new bladeless oscillating fans that help lower the temperature without ruining the moment.
6. Shut Off Unused Rooms
Close the door to an unused office, guest room, or playroom to help keep the cool air where you need it. For central air, close vents to rooms you aren’t using so the cool air will go exactly where you need it. And for window units, turn them off in unused rooms and focus on the areas you spend the most of your time.
7. Set Up a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable and smart thermostats are a game-changer when it comes to lowering energy bills without turning off the AC unit. For most homeowners, they don’t even notice a difference in comfort, but they do see the changes in their energy bills.
Set up your programmable thermostat to be warmer when you’re away from home, but automatically lower about 30 minutes to an hour before you come home. Have it automatically adjust overnight so you get the exact comfort you want without wasting energy.
Plus, smart thermostats can automatically adjust to your routine based on your smartphone data – helping so you never have to think about the thermostat. Shamrock HVAC in Maryland can install a new thermostat for you so it’s ready to go, and you reap all the rewards. Energy savings, made simple.
8. Look Out for Energy Savings Events
Some electric companies, like BGE, will notify homeowners of special energy-saving events, encouraging them to raise their set AC temperature for a few days when they expect high energy usage. This may often be accompanied by bonuses, discounts, or other energy savings incentives.
Look out for local energy savings events from either the state, county, neighborhood, or electric company. These incentives can provide savings while helping you set new habits to help decrease your energy usage over the summer.
9. Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Model
No one wants to upgrade their HVAC system, but a new AC installation could be the trick to lowering your energy bills long term. If you aren’t seeing any changes in your energy bills and are tired of throwing money away, a new model could be the right investment. Plus, this may improve your home value, or you may have the chance to apply for a discount through an energy savings initiative.
Ask your local HVAC company about the latest energy-efficient models, how yours compares, and what the cost + installation fee may be. Homeowners can see long-term savings and less stress with a new system.
Bonus: Cook Outdoors, Prep Cold Meals, and Maximize the Basement
To keep saving money on your energy bills, reduce the heat you are putting into your home. This can be anything from cooking cold meals and using the oven less to turning off more lamps and using fewer candles. Small habits can make big changes – just try it and see.
- Grill outdoors instead of using the oven
- Create cold meals that don’t use the oven or stovetop
- Refresh the basement for naturally climate-controlled living areas and hangouts
- Invest in natural fiber bedding, like silk, that is cooler than cotton
- Turn off lights that are not needed
- Decrease water usage, especially hot water that runs the water heater
- Burn fewer candles, which put off heat
- Wear cooling clothing when at home instead of sweats or thick socks
- Pack away throw blankets and switch them out for woven blankets or cooling materials
Get a Consult on Energy Savings in Maryland this Summer
Shamrock HVAC Company is here to help homeowners reduce their energy usage this summer. We provide $90 heating and cooling checks for unit maintenance, programmable thermostat installations, AC repairs, and emergency service.
Stop guessing at why your energy bills are so high and let us help – we maintain positive relationships with our customers, so we are only one call away, no matter what you need. Trusted service is priceless, and we are here to help.
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Get in Touch with Shamrock HVAC Services
- 3932A Ten Oaks Rd #F Dayton, MD 21036
- Office: (301) 854-3495
- Fax: (301) 854-3497
- shamrockservicehvac@gmail.com
- Serving Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia