Spring & Summer
When it comes to cooling your home during the hot South Carolina summer, making just a few energy efficient changes can really pay off:
- Insulate your home as much as you can. That makes a big difference whether heating or cooling.
- Set your thermostat at the highest temperature setting at which you’re comfortable. Cooling costs can be reduced by about 5 percent for every 2 degrees higher you set your unit. And keep heat-producing items like televisions and lamps away from thermostats.
- Light bulbs throw off heat. Keep them off during the day as much as you can.
- Drapes, blinds, and shades also should be shut during the hottest hours, if possible.
- Humidity is also a factor. Bathing, mopping, and dish washing early in the morning or in the evening instead of during the day will help.
- As much as possible, use heat-producing appliances early or late in the day. Such appliances include clothes dryers, dishwashers and ovens.
- Light exteriors reflect the sun’s rays, while dark colors absorb them. If your roof is dark-colored, a well-ventilated attic can ease heat buildup on sunny days.
- Use an air conditioner with an efficiency rating of 12 or higher. Window units are rated by their Energy Efficiency Ratio, or EER, while central systems use a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER. Also, window units are designed to cool only one room at a time, so choose the size you need with that in mind. And central air conditioners, if they’re too big, will waste energy and not dehumidify correctly.
- Maintain cooling systems properly. Hang, clean, or replace filters regularly. Window units generally have filters behind the front panel, and they need to be cleaned with soap and water. On outside heat exchangers, use a brush to clean the coils.
- Check for proper insulation in the attic and floors and good seals around doors, windows, and ductwork.
- Use fans to circulate air. Make sure the blades are set to rotate in the proper direction for the season.
Electric Heat Pump
With South Carolina’s mild, seasonal climate, heating and cooling with an electric heat pump makes good sense. It provides superior comfort and lower operating costs; plus it’s safe, clean, and reliable — the most efficient kind of heating and cooling unit on the market today.
The electric heat pump’s operation and efficiency come from a principle known as heat transfer. Rather than creating heat, the electric heat pump uses existing heat and simply moves it to the desired location. The result is a constant, comfortable flow of air into the home.
The beauty of an electric heat pump is that in the summer, the process can be reversed by the touch of a switch on the home’s indoor thermostat, providing year-round comfort and possible savings.
FAQ
Energy Use FAQ
The ideal setting is 78 degrees for cooling and 65 degrees for heating.
Yes, it can. You can save by using your current spotlights less, converting your current spotlights to 23 watt compact fluorescent spots, and by installing motion sensors so the lights only work when motion is detected.
The value of electricity remains very high. The national cost of electricity today, when adjusted for inflation, is less than what it was in 1980. Very few commodities have remained such a good value. Compared to other consumer products and services, electricity is a bargain.
Conserving energy is always a good idea. York Electric has a free 101 low-cost/no-cost home energy savings measures brochure. Visit one of our offices to pick up a copy or view and/or download here. Also, visit TogetherWeSave.com and take the home tour to learn what actions you can take to save on your energy bill.