Marshall Municipal Utilities

Air Conditioning

Air conditioning your house can be the most expensive part of your utility bill in the summer months. This page will provide some practical suggestions for selecting an air conditioner, using it properly, and allowing it to do its job more easily to reduce your home cooling bills.

Choose carefully

A unit that is too small won't keep you cool enough. One that is too large will cool too quickly and provide insufficient dehumidification, giving a cold clammy feeling. To be sure you select the proper size unit, have your dealer estimate your cooling load before you buy.

Use your air conditioner wisely

• Put your window air conditioner where it will provide the best air distribution. This lets it do its job more easily, using less energy. Don't bury the unit in shrubbery or cover it with draperies while it is operating.
• Clean the filter regularly, at least once a month. Washing or vacuuming the filter regularly will keep your home cleaner and will allow a free flow of air through the unit, allowing it to operate at top efficiency.
• Whenever possible, run the fan without using the cooling portion of your unit.
• Just as insulation saves on your heating bill by keeping warmth in, good insulation also pays summer dividends by keeping heat out.
• The use of blinds, shades, or awnings on your windows to keep direct sunlight out of the house can also help reduce operating costs.
• The use of light colored paints and roofing materials shields your home from heat.

Ventilation cuts costs

You can use fans and other ventilation devices to keep cool in the summer economically. A window fan pushing hot air out of one side of your home, but drawing cooler air from the shady side, is particularly refreshing.

Control humidity to improve comfort

• Save your moisture producing activities, such as showering and laundry, for cool early mornings or late evenings. If possible, use a bathroom exhaust fan.
• Try to find the source of any humidity problem. If water is leaking through walls or floor, a dehumidifier probably won't handle moisture removal.
• Where possible, eliminate sources of moisture and keep doors and windows closed.
• Heat and moisture accumulate in your attic. A powered attic ventilator will exhaust both, keeping your house cooler and avoiding moisture damage.
• Finally, if bathroom or kitchen moisture is coming into the room, release the moisture through windows in the bathroom and kitchen, preferably with an exhaust fan.

Industry Links

• Compact Florescent Bulbs
• Proper Disposal of Compact Florescent Bulbs
• Heating and Cooling
• Appliances