During peak energy demand hours, providers raise the rates. Their goal is to disperse demand so that the load is not so heavy on the system. There are several strategies you can use to manage your energy consumption and costs. One strategy that’s becoming quite trendy is supercooling. There are benefits that come with this method. Our team at HB Home Service Team can offer additional energy-saving strategies, too. If you are interested in using the supercooling strategy, here are the steps involved.
What Is Supercooling?
To achieve supercooling, you are going to lower your cooling system’s thermostat temperature as far down as it will go twice a day. You will want to do this once before the peak hours kick in, and then again when the peak hour rates are over. This means that it is important to know your provider’s rates throughout the day. Generally, the rates go up during the summer months. The higher rates target the hours when the majority of people are home and using their electricity. To spread out the demand for electricity, providers encourage customers to wash and dry their laundry when the sun begins to set or early in the morning, for example. States that experience high temperatures due to their desert or humidity-prone climates are among those that benefit from supercooling.
Is Supercooling Bad for a Cooling System?
To super cool your house, you are going to turn on your air conditioning system in the morning at a low temperature. Your cooling system is going to stay on until the peak rates begin. At that point, you are going to raise the temperature of your cooling system to its highest temperature. By doing this, you are mostly running the fans. The fans help the cool air to circulate in your residence. The logic is that the cool air will remain in your house until the rates drop again later in the evening. Then, you can drop the temperature of your cooling system again.
Since the cooling system is going to remain on for the majority of the day, some people worry that supercooling will cause too much wear and tear. While this is a valid concern, studies have found that the wear and tear caused by using the supercooling method is the same as the wear and tear caused by regular summer use. So, the best method you should use is ultimately determined by the one that brings you the most comfort while you are inside your home.
Keep in mind that because the cooling system is running uninterrupted for several hours, the wear and tear does not come from turning the unit on and off. At the recommended consistent temperatures for supercooling, the system is going to run at a constant speed.
Keeping Your Cooling System in Good Shape
If you’re concerned about additional wear and tear on your cooling system due to running it all day, there are ways to keep it in good shape. Regular maintenance is key. When you schedule maintenance at least once a year, professionals like ourselves can come in and inspect the unit and determine its health. Our job is to get it back to the manufacturer’s specifications. By doing this, the cooling system is going to run at an optimal level because that is how the manufacturer intended it. If we cannot get it back to the manufacturer’s specifications, we will examine why. Based on our findings, we can determine if repairs or replacement parts are necessary.
Once we complete the maintenance process, the cooling unit will be prepared to run during the warmest months without any problems, even if you use the supercooling method. Then, when the hot weather has passed, we can take another look to see how it held up.
Maximizing Supercooling
Whether you decide to use the supercooling method or not, once your house reaches the desired indoor temperature, your goal is to ensure that it remains that way for as long as possible. There are a few ways to achieve this feat. The first is double-checking that there are no leaks in your home. If your house includes a basement or an attic, begin there. Air is most likely to escape through the basement and attic, so homeowners are strongly encouraged to insulate these spaces. Then, work your way through the rest of your residence. Check the window and door frames. If any are warped or have crevices or cracks, fix them. While you are inspecting your property, if you find bacteria or mold growth in hard-to-reach areas, this is an indication that there may be a crack or crevice in the nearby wall.
By sealing your home, it will remain cooler longer. Therefore, if you are worried about wear and tear on your cooling system, you can use it less because the air is not going to escape.
Another way to maximize supercooling is to close the curtains or blinds. By blocking the sun’s rays, you’ll be eliminating another heat source inside your house. Once the sun begins to set, and if you live in a region where the temperature drops, consider opening the windows. Areas that receive breeze or the effects of the marine layer benefit from allowing the fresh air inside later in the evening and overnight. The fresh air is great for air circulation, and it also allows the stale indoor air to exit your home.
Smart Thermostats
A great way to reap the ultimate benefits of supercooling is to install a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat works well in tandem with most cooling systems. The life of your current unit, even if it is older and not running at its optimal rate anymore, can benefit from this technology. A smart thermostat is designed to be automated. This means that you no longer have to watch the clock to raise and lower the temperature. Simply input your preferences into the corresponding app and let the device take care of the job for you. Thanks to its precision, if you set it to 62 degrees, you can be confident that the degree error rate is only half a degree. A manual thermostat, on the other hand, has an error of up to five degrees.
A smart thermostat also allows you to test supercooling for a few days. If you feel comfortable inside your house, then continue with those settings. On the other hand, you can make adjustments and try them out if you weren’t happy with the initial results. Once you hit the sweet spot, you can let it ride until the temperature and rates drop. A smart thermostat compiles reports on your energy use, too, so, you can see your energy consumption on a monthly basis. Then, you can determine if you need to make adjustments.
To schedule an appointment for an energy efficiency assessment, contact us at HB Home Service Team today. We also offer emergency services, maintenance agreements, and indoor air quality solutions.