Stay cool and save money this year
Article published in Longmeadow Neighbors
(July 2022)
EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR
KRISTINA SMITH
Berkshire Heating and Air Conditioning LLC
413 200 9116
berkshireheatingandairconditioning.com
Saving money on your heating and cooling costs won’t just affect your wallet, but it will help save the planet, while also extending the life of your systems - which are some of the most valuable investments in your home. Our top five tips to improve energy efficiency will lessen your impact on the grid, and reduce the wear and tear on your AC unit - because it’s not getting any cooler this summer!
WATCH THOSE WINDOWS
Window treatments aren’t just aesthetically pleasing, they help keep the sun’s heat out. Opening your windows can create a cross-breeze, which helps in the mornings, and on the cooler days of summer. Southern- and western-facing windows bring in the most heat - but remember that natural sunlight can also help you not switch on your own light bulbs.
BE A FAN OF FANS
Fans don’t cool a room, but the wind they create causes a wind-chill effect that allows you to raise your thermostat by up to four degrees. Additionally, bathroom fans allow for heat and humid air (and odors) to leave your home without affecting your energy bill. Remember to turn the fans off when you leave - they just keep people cool - not rooms!
BUTTON UP YOUR HOME
Many homes in Longmeadow are older, and in need of a little bit of love. Massachusetts offers free in-home energy assessments through its Mass Save program, and can provide services to help drastically reduce the cost of insulation, labor, and even new, energy-efficient units for your home. More of a DIY person? Go to the hardware store and install weather stripping, seal leaks with caulk, and think about adding additional insulation.
COOKING AND CHILLING OUTDOORS
Turning on the oven or the cooktop can increase the heat in your home and make your air conditioner work harder. Light up the grill and move the party outside - all of your party guests radiate heat! Also, the more time that you and your family and friends are exploring the great outdoors, the less time you’ll be running the AC.
INVEST NOW - SAVE LATER
Routine maintenance like servicing air filters, and checking your evaporator coil can help - but we recommend calling a professional (like us) to take care of your systems. Simple maintenance can help decrease your cooling system’s energy consumption by more than 10%. Additionally, a dehumidifier can also help lessen the load on your cooling systems. All of these tricks will also help you extend the life of your units - leading to BIG savings over time.
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