It’s been a long summer so far in 2022… and seasoned Lowcountry homeowners know that we’ve got quite a few months left of the humidity and heat. Because of that high heat and humidity, our air conditioning systems work hard, long hours – and that means they require a ton of electricity to keep you cool and comfortable. With energy costs higher than ever, smart folks throughout the Charleston area are looking for ways they can save a little bit of money on their monthly bills. As they say, you can’t change the weather. There’s not much we can do about the heat and humidity here… but there are certainly ways we can improve our homes and habits to lower those bills and save a little money without sacrificing comfort. It’s all about becoming energy efficient!
Here are five of our best tips to stave off the summer heat while saving a little coin. Keep reading!
How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient in Charleston, SC
1. Track Your Energy Use
If you have a good idea of how much energy you’re using and why, it becomes much easier to assess where to cut back. Your monthly energy bill isn’t just for your AC, though that’s a big part of it. All of the appliances and electronics in your home cost dollars and cents when they’re on or running – and it all ads up.
So, make an energy budget! Take stock of all of your appliances and electronics and see how much energy they use and how often they’re running – most are labeled with their cost per hour. Use this information to estimate your total consumption and compare it with your energy bills.
You’ll likely find a big discrepancy, which means you have energy waste to contend with.
2. Reduce Energy Waste
The first place you’ll want to check for waste is in the air itself. Any drafts and leaks from your home to the outside will stress your AC unit, which makes it run much harder and longer. All that extra work on behalf of your AC will increase your energy costs at the end of the month..
Here’s where to check for drafts:
- Windows
- Doors
- Vents
- Ducts
- Attic access points
- Chimney
- Garage entries/exits
- In/Out Pipes
- In/Out Electrical outlets and sockets
All of these places can leak that cool, 70 degree air out of your home and into the hot Charleston air. Sealing them up properly means less waste!
3. Upgrade To Energy Efficient Windows
Windows are responsible for 25-30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. In older homes, they can be the single biggest source of energy waste in the home. Upgrading to new, high-efficiency windows is no small task – but it can make a huge difference for years and years to come on your power bills.
4. Insulation Remediation
Another big source of waste for homes, especially older ones, in Charleston is the insulation itself. If you find yourself with sky high cooling bills, have your local contractor come out and check out the performance of the insulation in your home. If an upgrade is possible and needed, you could potentially reduce your energy costs by 50 percent. If you’re in a newer home, you’re likely already good… but it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on it regardless.
5. Opt For an Energy Efficient HVAC System From Carolina Climate Control
Now that you’ve eliminated all the waste and sealed your home up tight, it’s time to go for the big savings… by installing an energy efficient HVAC system.
You’d be shocked by the impact of a higher efficiency air conditioning system. Many of our installs here in Charleston report anywhere from a 30% to 50% reduction on their monthly energy bills.
Get In Touch with Carolina Climate Control
We don’t need to tell you – it’s hot out there. With the heat comes the costs, and we’d all like to bring them down if we can. If you follow the improvement steps above, you should be well on your way to more affordable summers here in the Lowcountry, for years to come… and if you’re ready to take a big chunk out of those bills with a new, high efficiency HVAC system – get in touch! We’d love to work with you to lower your monthly energy costs.
