Did you know that the invention of today's modern air conditioning systems was to prevent paper from wrinkling? In 1902, Willis Carrier was helping a Brooklyn, New York, publishing firm solve a summer humidity problem that was causing magazine pages to wrinkle.
His invention was a system using cooling coils to control humidity. He soon realized his “air conditioning” could benefit many other industries, and Carrier Engineering Corporation was born.
According to the Energy Information Administration, 48 percent of all energy consumption in American homes is a result of cooling and heating. The good news is energy efficiency is helping as that number was down from 58 percent in 1993.
Here are 6 ways to maximize an A/C system:
1. Finding the right temp: The U.S. Department of Energy recommends a 78°F setting for a thermostat, which means staying cool and avoiding a higher electricity bill. In addition, when you are on a summer vacation, and no one is home, you can save even more during the summer. Experts say turning your thermostat up 7°F to 10°F degrees whenever the house is empty for 2 hours or more can help reduce cooling costs by as much as 10 percent.
2. Ceiling fans help: Ceiling fans can help make a room feel cooler. Make sure that ceiling fans in the summer are circulating counterclockwise as that helps generate a downdraft, which creates a direct, cooling breeze. A room with a ceiling fan that’s 80°F can feel more like 76°F. Ceiling fans also can help even out the air temperature of a room.
3. Make sure doors and windows are sealed tight: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, sealing air leaks in a home can reduce energy expenses by up to 30 percent. Leaks can be sealed professionally or do it yourself with caulk, weatherstripping or expanding window foam. In addition, if you are replacing old single-pane windows, double-pane windows can reduce energy usage by as much as 18 percent during the summer. All single-pane windows need replacement to obtain this level of energy-saving results, not just one.
4. Cooler at night? Open windows: In areas where summer nights are significantly cooler than your 78°F setting on the thermostat, opening windows at night can reduce an A/C’s workload. Letting naturally cool air enter your house is not only refreshing – it can bring energy savings. Once the sun sets and the temperature outside is cooler than inside, pull back the drapes or open blinds. Opening the windows a crack can help a home cool down – so the A/C doesn’t need to run.
5. More outdoor grilling, microwaving, and less oven cooking: Unless one cooks with an electric grill, grilling outdoors saves energy in two ways. First, a unit of gas is three to four times less expensive than a unit of electricity. Because gas grills heat faster, they use less energy per unit of cooking time than an oven. Second, cooking outdoors in the summer keeps the heat where it belongs. You can control kitchen heat generation by using a microwave or grilling outdoors. The A/C won't have to work hard to battle the heat escaping from your oven. Also, microwaves are heat and energy savers, using up to 70 percent less energy than a conventional oven.
6. An A/C checkup can help avoid an unexpected outage: Do you know when your clients are covered by Cinch, they may qualify for up to a $100 reimbursement for an A/C checkup when they don’t have any claims within their first nine months of coverage? Be a good resource and share this tip to remind them of the importance of scheduling an A/C inspection – a bonus when it is free.
Protecting a home during every season
Your clients can protect their homes year-round with a home warranty from Cinch. Ensuring your clients are covered with a home warranty shows them you are thinking about all their real estate needs every day of the year. Learn more at cinchrealestate.com.