Ronica Shannon
When air conditioning creeps outside, utility bills can creep up in cost if homeowners are not aware of a few simple precautions.
“The most common tip I tell people is to make sure that their air filter is changed frequently and have their system checked by a qualified technician at least once a year,” said Kendall Hawn, service manager at Total Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning in Richmond.
When it comes to older homes, homeowners should make sure that the duct work is checked for leakage, he said.
Another very simple precaution homeowners can take is to make sure that furniture is not placed on top of return vents throughout the home, Hawn said.
Kentucky Utilities customers have the option of participating in the Demand Conservation Program that can help reduce the costs of heating and cooling a person’s living space.
The program offers customers a free device that is connected to the central air conditioner, heat pump or electric water heater.
This equipment helps reduce peak demand and enables power plants to operate more efficiently, according to information at www.eon-us.com, the Web site for KU.
If the equipment is used property, it can help homeowners reduce their year-round heating and cooling bill by 10 to 20 percent each year.
Steve King at Modern Air Conditioning and Heating in Berea said a lot of the Madison County homes he services do not have insulated crawl spaces.
This can cause homeowners to lose 20 to 25 percent of their air conditioning or heat, King said.
Homeowners may have a tendency to turn their air conditioning off when they leave for vacation, but ironically, leaving it running can save more money, he said.
“Just turn it back five or seven degrees,” King said.
When you turn the air conditioning off, moisture builds up inside everything in the house, such as pillows, couches and beds, he said.
Pulling that moisture out when you return and turn the air conditioning back on can be a more costly process than if the humidity levels had stayed the same, he said.
Homeowners who implement suggested energy saving tips can see the difference in their utility bills by using the “Calculate Your Energy Costs” resource available at www.energysavers.gov.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.
Save energy during summer months
• Closing, or partially closing, blinds and drapes during hot days can reduce air conditioning demand by keeping out sun and heat. Windows facing south let in the most heat.
• Lights, televisions, computers and appliances not only use electricity, they generate heat. Keep them turned off when they are not needed.
• Use appliances such as ovens, dishwashers and clothes dryers early in the day or late in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.
• Use a microwave instead of your stove and oven. It generates less heat.
• Use the exhaust fans in your bathroom sparingly. In just one hour they can remove a houseful of cooled air. Install a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans use about 98 percent less energy than most central air conditioners.
Source: www.energy.ky.gov.
