Can you conserve AC energy and still stay comfortable this summer? We all know that hotter weather’s here, and air conditioners are about to get a workout. Although cooling costs are always a factor in the summer household budget, season-specific strategies can conserve AC energy and reduce expenses without sacrificing indoor comfort. Here are a few common-sense steps you can take now.
Keep heat out and cool in. Summer heat infiltrating the house increases the load on your air conditioner. Simple steps like these reduce heat gain and conserve AC energy:
- Check for worn weatherstripping around all sides of doors and movable windows. Replace with new material as necessary.
- Keep attic heat out by caulking ceiling cracks and around fixtures that penetrate the ceiling, such as ceiling lights, pipes, and cables.
- Inspect attic insulation for coverage and condition. Check the depth of installed insulation to make sure it meets current standards.
- Close curtains in daylight hours to shut out sunlight that adds solar heat to the house.
Set the thermostat for efficiency and comfort. Most air conditioners run efficiently and cool effectively with a daytime thermostat setting of 78 degrees. If the house in unoccupied during the day and pets are not at risk, you can increase the thermostat setting to 85 degrees while you’re gone.
Use ceiling fans. Ceiling fans use as little as 1% of the electricity consumed by a central air conditioner. Yet, ceiling fans can make rooms feel up to 5 degrees cooler due to gentle air circulation. This enables you to increase the AC thermostat setting a few degrees and reduce cooling costs up to 3%.
Upgrade now instead of then. Still hanging on to an AC that’s past its prime? Today’s new models are up to 40% more energy-efficient than a worn-out unit that’s 10 years old. Upgrading now avoids the expense and inconvenience of inevitable repairs, while savings from lower monthly operating costs and improved cooling performance start immediately.
Contact Paitson Bros., now marking a century of service to Terre Haute residents, for more tips to conserve AC energy.
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922