Air conditioning uses more energy than everything else in a typical home. According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for about 48% of energy consumption in U.S homes.
These bills are high, especially during hot summer months. That is where many homeowners start looking for ways to reduce cooling costs without compromising comfort.
Some homeowners resort to setting their thermostats at 79 degrees 24 hours a day. Others take a more cautious approach, known as super cooling. Those using the latter method will swear that it keeps the home cool and saves electricity bills.
What is Super Cooling?
Supercooling is a technique that involves cooling a home to low temperatures (about 60 degrees) at specific times of the day before turning off your air conditioner for the rest of the day.
It operates on the concept that when you lower temperatures in your home, everything inside the house cools down. This includes the air, furniture, countertops, upholstery, floors, and even the walls. When the aircon stops running, it takes time for these things to warm again. You’ll, therefore, keep your home cool without having to turn off the air conditioner -that is until the interior heats up again.
Does Supercooling Save Energy?
Compared to running your air conditioner all day and night, supercooling involves switching on the air con for a specific period. However, your energy plan plays a significant role in the process.
Super cooling is only effective if you are on a plan that offers different peak and off-peak rates. Switching your energy usage patterns so that you are using your AC during off-peak hours can result in significant savings. According to some homeowners, you will save about 25-35% of your cooling costs if you implement this method effectively. These savings can translate into hundreds of dollars by the time winter comes to an end.
Requirements for Effective Supercooling
To get the most out of the process, you need to:
Know Your Energy Plan
Check your energy usage statistics on your provider’s website to find out your consumption patterns. The idea is to determine whether you are using more energy during peak or off-peak hours.
If your plan doesn’t have off-peak rates, talk to your provider about switching plans. The process is easy.
Homeowners who use more electricity during off-peak hours shouldn’t worry much about supercooling. Although you can save some money using the process, especially if your cooling system runs continuously during peak hours.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat eliminates the stress of having to switch your air conditioner on or off manually. All you have to do is program it to turn on the air con during off-peak hours and turn it off during peak hours.
Use Other Alternatives to Keep Warm
It may get cold, but turning on the heater is a no-no if you are to get the most out of the process. Therefore, consider using warm bedding and clothes and sealing your home. During the daytime, the sun’s rays can heat the interior pretty quickly. To avoid this, keep your windows closed or cover them with blinds.
How to Super Cool Your House
You can implement different thermostat settings depending on your energy plan and the size of your house. For example, the following settings work well for homes that have an off-peak plan between 10 PM and 12 noon the next day:
- Turn your thermostat down to 70 degrees at 10 PM
- Get it to 74 degrees at 8 AM since indoor temperatures may reach 79-80 degrees at this point.
- At noon turn it off
If you work from 9 to 5, a 9 AM to 9 PM power plan will suit you best. To super cool your house on this plan:
- Set your thermostat to 68 degrees from 9 AM to 9 PM
- Turn it off for the rest of the day.
Benefits of Supercooling
Major benefits of supercooling your home include:
- It reduces the workload on your heating and cooling system, making it less susceptible to wear and tear. You would worry less about finding an AC repair in Naples or maintenance services anytime soon.
- Saves money on electricity costs by improving energy efficiency
- Your cooling system will have a longer lifespan.
Best Air Conditioning Near Me!
If you have any questions about super cooling, our AC service in Naples can help. We have been offering air conditioning in Florida and its environs over 40 years.
Do you need an energy assessment of your home? Our experts will inspect your heating and cooling system and provide the best recommendations. If you aren’t in Naples, we also have a sister air conditioning company in Fort Myers. Contact us today with any questions related to air conditioning.