Cooling Tips

Here are TXU Energy's top energy-saving tips for cooling your home. They can help you save money and stay comfortable - even during the long, hot summer months of Texas.

Temperature Settings

Set the thermostat at 78°F or higher and use a portable fan to keep cool. Each degree below 78°F means more energy usage and higher cooling costs. In fact, you may want to set the thermostat even higher when you're not at home, and turn the air conditioner off when you go on vacation.

Check the accuracy of the thermostat by placing a thermometer next to the thermostat and comparing the readings for room temperature. You may be cooling your home more than you think. For example, an inaccurate thermostat may indicate 78°F when the room is really 72°F, increasing your cooling cost up to 30% or more.

Whether you have a central air conditioning system or a room air conditioner, be sure to set the fan switch to "automatic" instead of "on" or "continuous."

When you're looking to upgrade or replace your air conditioning system, remember that units with a higher SEER will save you money over the life of the unit. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. We recommend an ENERGY STAR^® rated system. (SEER of 14.0 or greater and an EER of 11.5 or greater.

Dampers

If you have a fireplace, keep the damper tightly closed when not in use. Also, a glass fireplace screen can help minimize the loss of conditioned air.

If a room air conditioner has a fresh air intake, or exhaust vent, keep the vent closed when not in use.

Make sure the weather-stripping around your doors and windows is in good condition. If not, you can save both energy and money by replacing it.

Keep blinds or draperies closed on sunny days to help keep the heat out. This is especially important on any windows or glass doors that receive direct sunlight.

Open the upper vents in your attic to let warm air out, and make sure any lower vents are not blocked.

Try to minimize the number of times that doors to the outside are opened and closed. Each time you open the door warm air enters the house.

Ceiling fans spread cold air more evenly throughout the room. The fan direction should be DOWN for summers, UP for winters, and OFF when you're not at home.

Did you know that electric outlets can let hot air into the house? Remove the outlet covers and insert special foam insulation to help keep your home cool.

Why cool your house if no one's home? This device allows you to adjust your levels in advance. You could save up to 20% in costs and recover your investment in the first year.

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