It takes a lot of energy to stay comfortable in Arizona. Fortunately, there are plenty of quick and easy ways to reduce your energy consumption. A little bit of effort can do a lot to slash your power bill.
1. Install an Awning
Heating and cooling are responsible for most of the average home’s energy consumption. You can reduce your cooling costs by minimizing the amount of heat that enters your home. Most of that heat enters through the windows in the form of light.
You can use awnings to prevent that light from entering your window. You should install awnings over windows that face south or west. Windows that face north or east receive less sunlight, so you don’t need to prioritize them.
When you choose your awnings, look for products with an AERC energy rating. It proves that the awning can reduce your energy costs. You should also consider investing in a retractable system. They make it easy to strike the perfect balance between heat management and lighting.
2. Choose the Right Curtains
Your curtains can also protect your home from excessive sunlight, but their effectiveness depends on their color. Dark colors naturally absorb light, so they tend to heat your home. On the other hand, light curtains struggle to block the sun. Medium-colored curtains with white plastic backings usually get the best results. They can eliminate up to a third of the heat gain from your windows.
3. Use Natural Shade
Careful landscaping offers an additional line of defense against the sun. After all, trees can provide just as much shade as an awning. They can also cover a larger percentage of your home. Shrubs and other small plants can also help. While they do not provide much shade, they can absorb heat and cool the area around your home.
It’s vital to choose plants that thrive in Arizona’s climate. Healthy plants will cover more of your property and offer more protection against the heat. Native species have the best odds of survival. They also require less effort and fewer resources to maintain than other plants. Local landscaping companies can help you find the right species for your property.
4. Try a Smart Thermostat
Many of us waste a surprising amount of energy. For example, it’s easy to forget to deactivate your air conditioner before leaving your home. Smart thermostats solve that problem. They work by connecting your phone to your heating and cooling systems. You can control them with an app. Some thermostats can also track your location and turn your air conditioning off as you leave your home.
Most smart thermostats offer other helpful features. For example, some models can calculate the optimal heating and cooling schedule for your home. Other thermostats can track the temperature in specific rooms and make the appropriate adjustments. All of those features save energy by eliminating human error. They can even make your home more comfortable at the same time.
5. Prioritize Efficient Cooking
Your oven can work against you when you want to stay cool. It is essentially a large space heater, and it will force your air conditioner to do extra work. You should try to avoid using your oven on hot days. If you need to bake, try to do so at night to minimize the strain on your air conditioner.
Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to cook without heating your home. Microwaves, small toaster ovens, and slow cookers are great examples. They will release some heat, but they are more efficient than traditional ovens. If the weather is good, you should also consider cooking outdoors to keep the heat outside your home.
6. Search for Leaks
Most homes are full of little cracks and leaks, especially near the doors and windows. They are also common in the attic and basement. Those gaps allow air to escape your home. If your home is cooler than the environment, that will raise the internal temperature. If your energy bills are too high, you should find and seal as many of those leaks as possible.
7. Unplug Your Devices
All electronic devices consume electricity and produce heat. While most devices have a negligible impact on their own, they quickly add up. You should always turn lights, computers, and other electronics off when they are not in use. Some devices, such as chargers, can even draw power while they are turned off. You can eliminate that phantom load by unplugging them.
If you want to save even more energy, you should look for efficient alternatives to old electronics. For example, LED lights use roughly 75% less electricity than incandescent bulbs. When you replace old devices, look for products with an ENERGY STAR certification. They are significantly more efficient than the alternatives.
8. Fix Your Ducts
Your air ducts connect your HVAC system to the rest of your home. Unfortunately, they are fragile and prone to leaks, which reduce your HVAC system’s efficiency. They can also lead to uneven heating or spread dust through your home.
If you notice those problems, you should call a professional duct sealing service. Experienced HVAC technicians can test the ducts to identify all of the leaks. They also have the tools to quickly repair leaks without causing new problems. Most duct repairs take less than a day, so they are one of the fastest ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
9. Replace Old Systems
All machines degrade over time, including your heating and cooling systems. As those systems get older, they start to waste energy. Most HVAC systems will survive for roughly 15 years. If any of your HVAC devices are older than that, you should consider replacing them.
Fortunately, new systems benefit from modern technology. They are more consistent, efficient, and reliable than older models. While installing a new AC or furnace is a major investment, it’s also one of the best ways to save energy.
10. Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
If you want to save energy, you need to keep your HVAC system in good condition. Dirt and debris tend to build up inside both heating and cooling systems. That can interfere with heat transfer, which forces your system to work harder and waste energy. Poor airflow, electrical issues, and other minor problems can also reduce your system’s efficiency. A quick tune-up will address all of those issues. We encourage you to schedule maintenance twice per year to get the most out of your HVAC system.
Call Our Team Today
If you want to maximize your home’s energy efficiency, you should consult the experts. We can identify your home’s weak points and find simple solutions. At Air Control Home Services, we have been providing comprehensive heating and air conditioning services along with plumbing, and electrical services in the Lake Havasu area for several decades. Our diverse range of services makes it easy to optimize every aspect of your home’s energy consumption. You can count on us to lower your energy bill and reduce your environmental impact.
We are ready to help you save energy. Contact Air Control Home Services today to schedule your consultation.
