The warm spring and summer weather in Charlotte, North Carolina, is ideal for outdoor activities with friends and family. Unfortunately, it can also raise your utility bills and make your home feel hot and stuffy. You can save money in spring and summer by improving your landscaping, using a dehumidifier and upgrading your HVAC system.
Improve Landscaping
Adding shade will help your HVAC system work at peak efficiency. It’ll also make spending time in your yard more fun.
Plant some deciduous trees on the west and south sides of your home. Small trees like dogwoods and crepe myrtles will grow faster than larger species like pecan or oak. Bushes close to your home can also help shield it from the hot sun.
Use a Dehumidifier
High spring and summer humidity makes your home feel warmer, forcing you to use your air conditioner more to stay comfortable. This can raise your utility bills and shorten your HVAC system’s life.
A dehumidifier can keep you cool and lower your expenses. It can also keep you from having to deal with microbial growth and many types of pests. Use a portable model on one or two rooms at a time. You can also install whole-home dehumidifier in your ductwork.
Upgrade Your HVAC System
If your HVAC system is over a decade old, you can save money by upgrading to a more efficient model. It’s a big investment, but you’ll get it back through energy savings.
Variable-speed systems have fans with multiple speeds, so they don’t need as much power. Ductless systems use two or more indoor units connected to one outdoor unit. That way, the indoor units don’t have to work at the same time.
You can also make a smaller improvement like adding an air purifier. It’ll improve your indoor air quality, prevent allergies and increase the airflow in your ductwork.
Bradham Comfort Services is a family business with more than 40 years of HVAC experience. Let us help you save money by installing, repairing, and maintaining your various heating and cooling equipment. Call us at (704) 912-1456for expert, honest service.
Image provided by Shutterstock