Is your air conditioner working overtime? Bust these AC myths to stay cool while saving energy and money this summer.
Myth: It takes more energy to cool down a warm home than to maintain a consistently cool home.
Fact: Running the AC on full blast does use more energy initially, but leaving your unit on all day to maintain a cooler temperature uses more energy in the long-run. Turn the AC down or off when you’re not at home.
Myth: Setting the AC at a lower temperature will cool your home faster.
Fact: Setting a colder-than-desired temperature will not cool any faster, but it will cause your unit to run longer than necessary. Set the thermostat to your desired temperature and no lower.
Myth: A bigger window AC unit will cool more effectively.
Fact: When it comes to room units, bigger isn’t necessarily better. Before choosing a room air conditioner, break out the measuring tape. A 400 square foot room requires a 10,000 BTU (British thermal unit) model; a 150 square foot room only needs a 5,000 BTU model. Smaller models are less expensive and use less energy. Energy Star can help you find the right size: www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=roomac.pr_properly_sized.
Get additional energy-saving tips from the Alliance to Save Energy: www.ase.org.
Season: Summer
(Source: The Alliance to Save Energy. “Keeping Cool the Energy-Efficient Way.” http://ase.org/content/article/detail/5912)
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