As we near our Independence Day celebrations, the temperature outside is increasing. Many of us are retreating indoors where air conditioning can provide necessary comfort. If you’re concerned about your cooling bills this summer, we’ll share some of our best tips for reducing them below.
Get Maintenance
One of the best ways to lower your summertime cooling bills is to ensure you get routine maintenance service at least once a year. Our professional service includes cleaning, inspecting, and testing all the internal components of your air conditioning system to ensure it’s working appropriately. This will confirm your system is operating as efficiently as possible, so you’re not overspending on your summertime cooling bills.
Change Air Filters Routinely
The air filter inside your air conditioning system plays a big role in its overall functionality. When the filter is filled with debris, it acts more like a wall that requires your air conditioner to work harder to push air through it. This can increase energy bills and decrease the overall lifespan of your unit. Stay on top of frequent filter changes to ensure your system works as efficiently as possible.
We recommend checking your air filter once a month and replacing it when necessary. You can check it by removing the filter from the housing and holding it up to a light. If you can’t see through it, it’s time for a replacement. Most homeowners need to replace their filters every two to three months. Be sure to replace your filter with the recommended filter for optimum results.
Use a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are a must-have for any household trying to save money on utility bills. This type of thermostat has programmable capabilities that allow you to set predetermined temperatures based on the time of the day and the day of the week.
This can allow you to better optimize your system’s runtime by reducing running during the daytime when no one’s home and increasing it during the evening when your family returns home. Smart thermostats have many other beneficial capabilities like suggesting eco-friendly settings, showing real-time energy usage, and so much more.
Consider Duct Cleaning and Sealing
As your ductwork ages, small gaps and leaks will open up. This will expose the air in your ducting to your wall and floor cavities. Unfortunately, the more leaks you have in your ductwork, the less of your conditioned air will make it to the rooms in your home. This can cause your air conditioner to constantly run to keep up with your cooling demands.
One of the best ways to get rid of these leaks is with duct sealing service. One of our professionals will come out and thoroughly clean all your ductwork to remove any debris buildup inside it. Then, they’ll apply a special serum that will harden over any leaks and holes in your ductwork.
Run Ceiling Fans Regularly
Another really easy option for reducing your energy bills in the summer is to use ceiling fans. Consider installing ceiling fans in all the major rooms of your home, like your living room, kitchen, and all the bedrooms. Make sure the fans are spinning counterclockwise so that they force air down on you during the warm weather months. This gentle breeze will help lower your body temperature and reduce the need to constantly set your air conditioner at a lower temperature. Ceiling fans use much less energy than your home air conditioner.
Block Out Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight can heat the rooms in your home tremendously. If you allow sunlight inside, your air conditioner will run continuously to combat the constantly rising temperature. One of the best ways to prevent this is to block out the sunlight. You can use blinds or curtains to do so. Some homeowners even opt for UV-resistant windows or window films, which can also be highly effective. Some of these films also have thermal properties, which can help reduce heat transfer in the winter as well.
Seal Up Your Home
As your home settles, air gaps can develop on your exterior walls. These are most common around door and window frames. Anywhere there’s an air leak, hot outside air can penetrate your home and increase the internal temperature. To prevent this, it’s best to locate and seal off any leaks on the exterior walls of your home. You can use products like weather stripping, caulking, or even spray foam to fill in these leaks and create a tight barrier.
Cook Outdoors
A really simple tactic to implement to keep your home cooler in the summer is not cooking indoors. Using the oven can heat your home and cause your air conditioner to run to bring the temperature back down. During the summer months, you may want to practice cooking outside on the grill or preparing cold meals. This is just one small way of many to help minimize your summertime air conditioning bills.
Consider Upgrading
If your existing air conditioner is over 15 years old, you may want to consider upgrading. Units made today are more efficient than those just a decade ago. By purchasing a new system, you can enjoy more energy-efficient operation to reduce your summertime cooling bills. Even better, a new system comes with brand-new warranty coverage and a very minimal breakdown risk.
Get an Energy Audit
A really useful tool for understanding where your energy loss is so that you can implement solutions to minimize it is a home energy audit. This is where one of our technicians will thoroughly assess your home and make real recommendations on how to make your home more energy efficient.
Beef Up Your Insulation
Insulation creates a barrier between the air temperature outside and the air in your home. Adequate insulation is essential to ensure all the conditioned air your air conditioner makes stays inside your home.
Before the summer season hits, consider checking the insulation in your attic to see if there are any low spots or spots with missing insulation. It can be helpful to determine the R-value of your existing insulation and consider adding to it if it doesn’t meet the minimum R-value requirements in the building codes for your area.
Keep Your Attic Vents Open
One simple thing that can make a world of difference in controlling your summertime energy bills is the vents in your attic. If these vents are closed, the temperature in your attic can skyrocket. This can force the heat into your home and increase your home’s internal temperature.
Leave all your attic vents completely open throughout the entire summer. If you’re concerned about pests entering your attic, consider putting a mesh-like material over the vent to allow for adequate airflow while deterring pest activity.
Reliable AC Maintenance Service
Ahoy! Cooling & Heating offers reliable AC maintenance service for the Tampa Bay, FL community. We can also help with all your air conditioning installation, replacement, and repair needs. Phone our office today to schedule your next service appointment.
