As the warmer weather starts to settle in this Spring, many business owners find themselves adjusting the thermostat to accommodate the higher temperatures. Switching the HVAC system from heat to air conditioning can bring a lower temperature to your office, but it can cause your utility bills to increase. There are a number of ways you can save money by cutting your cooling costs. Here, Fritts Heating & Air discusses ways in which business owners can save money on their office HVAC bills.
Use a circulating fan
The first thing you can do to save on your HVAC cooling bill is to utilize a fan in the office. A fan doesn’t necessarily cool down a room, but it can make it more comfortable. A fan moves air around the room making the standing heat in a room dissipate. If you also have an air conditioning system, a ceiling fan helps disperse the cooled air more efficiently and allows you to raise the thermostat by as much as four degrees, with little or no discomfort. This raise in temperature can save you money in the long run.
Be Smart With Your Thermostat
Do you have a smart thermostat in your office? Setting your HVAC system to a comfortable level and using a smart thermostat to adjust the temperature when you’re gone can easily decrease your cooling bill by up to 10%. The smaller the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the less you’ll spend on your cooling bill. Adjust your thermostat to 78ºF instead of 72ºF and you could save as much as 18% on your cooling costs. Constantly adjusting your system, makes the system work harder, increasing your bills. Let your system work smarter for lower costs.
Regular Maintenance
If you don’t properly care for your HVAC system, it’s impossible to save on cooling costs. Dirty filters block airflow and make units overwork themselves. Cleaning and/or replacing filters once every couple of months will lower your system’s energy consumption by 5% – 15%. If you have a central cooling system, be sure that floor registers aren’t obstructed by rugs or furniture. Regular system maintenance is crucial and can save you a lot of money over time.
Avoid Additional Heat (if possible)
If possible, try to avoid activities that generate a lot of excess heat. Such activities include cooking on the stovetop, using the dishwasher or running the dryer for your laundry. This additional heat will create higher temperatures inside your home. In turn, this will make your HVAC system work harder to regular the temperature. It’s recommended to utilize the microwave or outside grill. Also washing dishes by hand can minimize additional heat from the dishwasher. If you must, try to save these activities until after dark when temperatures have dropped. Furthermore, computers, stereos and TVs are also big heat-generators. By turning these off when not in use, you’ll save money on electricity and your overall HVAC bills over time.
Close The curtains & blinds
A simple and easy way to reduce your HVAC bills is to use curtains, blinds or shades. These simply block out the heat that comes in through the windows. Reducing the sunlight entering your home can save you money. The less heat entering your home, the less your HVAC system has to cool down the inside. When purchasing curtains, blinds or shades, try and stick to light colors. The lighter the color, the more they will deflect the sun’s UV rays. Additionally, install shades as close to windowpanes as possible, as this enables them to also block heat from radiating inside.
Call Us Today
Fritts Heat & Air is a reliable Heating & Air service and HVAC contractor with over 20 years of experience. We provide Atlanta and North Georgia with expert heating and air conditioning services. If you need HVAC services in Atlanta, GA and throughout North Georgia, you can rely on us for your HVAC repairs and installation for residential and commercial properties. Since our inception, our philosophy is to provide our customers with quality and affordable HVAC services through professionalism and honesty. You can expect prompt service from one of our highly trained HVAC contractors to get your heating and AC system fixed and working properly as soon as possible. At Fritts Heat & Air, we adhere to high standards and stay informed on the latest industry knowledge. Give us a call today!