This Earth Day, make plans to save energy this summer

April 22 is Earth Day, and there are a lot of great events happening here in Albuquerque. What’s more, many organizations around town will be planting trees and doing trash pickups in parks.It’s this time of year where many homeowners wonder how they can improve their own energy-efficiency, both to save money and to use less energy. In this blog, we’ll run through four ways your air conditioner can save you energy and money.

The best ways to save energy this summer

There are many ways to save energy in your home this summer. Here are a few of the ways you can get more out of your air conditioner this summer:

#1. Schedule an AC checkup with Wagner

Spring is the best time to schedule your air conditioning checkup from the team at Wagner. By having one of our professional techs inspect your system this season, we can not only make sure your system is less likely to break down in the summer, but also increase your energy-efficiency.An unmaintained air conditioner is an inefficient one. Over the course of summer, fall, winter, and early spring, your air conditioner gathers dust and debris that keep it from running at peak capacity. Our checkup tightens parts, checks systems, and ensures that your unit is ready for the hot weather ahead. SCHEDULE YOUR AC CHECKUP

#2. Replace your old, struggling air conditioner

If your air conditioner is old, it probably isn’t as efficient as it once was—and is far from as efficient as new systems are. Even with an AC checkup, there’s only so efficient that a 15-year-old air conditioner can be.Most homeowners replace their old air conditioner when it dies for the final time, or when the repair costs finally outweigh the system’s value. However, during your checkup, ask your Wagner tech about the state of your system. Here are just a few signs that it’s time to replace your old system:

• Reduced energy-efficiency, and higher bills
• More frequent breakdowns and repair needs
• Less comfort in your home

LEARN MORE ABOUT A NEW AC SYSTEM

#3. Consider investing in a programmable thermostat

You may have seen programmable thermostats for sale in your local hardware store. These systems offer homeowners greater control over their comfort and home energy use, even when they’re not at home.These thermostats, true to their name, can be programmed to cool and heat at certain times on certain days of the week. Most models can also be connected to WiFi, which allows you to adjust or check the temperature of your home on-the-go or while you’re at work.By allowing for this level of consistent control, programmable thermostats can help make your home more energy-efficient. For example, if you only need your home colder when you’re falling asleep, you can set your thermostat to turn down the AC after 10 p.m.WE INSTALL PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS

#4. Keep your home consistent

Many homeowners believe the best way to save energy is to turn off their air conditioner during the day while they’re at home, and then turn it back on at night.However, contrary to popular belief, this practice actually ends up using more energy. When your AC has to play catch up and cool your home down after a long, hot day, it uses more electricity than it would have needed to just maintain a temperature throughout the day.Instead, using either your regular thermostat or a programmable model, set a consistent, slightly higher temperature for your air conditioner to stay at during the day. Then, you can make small, 1-3 degree adjustments when you get home at night.

Call Wagner for an AC checkup this Earth Day

Your air conditioner is one of the primary users of energy in your home. By making it more efficient—along with some other common-sense changes in your home like switching to more efficient light bulbs—you can cut back on your energy use, saving you money and lessening your home’s footprint.To schedule your AC checkup, contact Wagner today!