When summertime temperatures rise it’s not unusual to see your energy bills go up, too! Keeping comfortable without increasing your costs isn’t difficult with these ten tips for how to save money with your ac and heating bills. These tips include some that you can tackle on your own and others that may require some help from the cooling pros at DeHart Air Conditioning. Everyone loves saving money, but no one likes being uncomfortable. Reliable home comfort is a must for every homeowner throughout the year. So what are some of the ways you can keep your home temperatures just right while keeping your heating and cooling bills low?
If you live in Duncan or Chickasha, OK then you’ve come to the right place — the home comfort experts at DeHart have created a list of the top five ways you can save on your heating and cooling bills, by increasing the energy efficiency of your home and reducing the load on your heating and cooling equipment.
KEEP THE SUN OUT!
The summer sun shining in through windows can add heat through the effect of solar gain. When your home is warmed by the sun, your AC needs to work harder to cool everything down. You can lower solar gain and keep your home cooler overall by strategically closing curtains and shades. Another approach is to add effective shade on the outside of your home. Plant vegetation like trees and shrubs that can shade the south side of your Chickasha OK home. Many people also opt for sunshades or awnings that can block the warming rays but allow indirect light inside.
TURN ON THE CEILING FANS
Most people do not realize just how smart our ancestors were in installing ceiling fans. Moving the air can make it feel like it is 5-7 degrees cooler than the actual temperature. Gentle air flow can make a stuffy room feel cooler and more comfortable. The money-saving bonus is that you can adjust your thermostat up 5 degrees and achieve the same comfort with less money, since running ceiling fans requires less power than running the central air.
BE SMART ABOUT APPLIANCE USE
Most appliances in your home create their own little heat zones. Beyond the obvious oven, dryer and dishwasher, other electronic devices and computers can also generate added heat. This appliance heat can build up during the day and make your central AC work harder during peak daylight hours. If you shift some tasks, like baking, laundry, and showers, to evening or early morning, you can minimize the effect of the appliance heat produced.
SCHEDULE A MAINTENANCE CHECK-UP
If your energy bill is escalating but your still not feeling cool, it is an innovative idea to schedule a routine AC maintenance appointment. The cooling pros at DeHart Air Conditioning can do a complete review of your central air’s systems, as well as make sure that filters are fresh, and your thermostat is programmed properly. If it has been a while since you have given your heating and cooling system some TLC, it may need a “look under the hood.” Clogged air filters, leaky ductwork, and worn-down equipment will most certainly keep your home heating and cooling bills higher than they need to be. Scheduling regular maintenance with DeHart will ensure that any failing parts are serviced and replaced before they cause a furnace or air conditioner emergency.
USE A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
If you are cranking up the AC to cool one particularly warm room, it could be time to consider adding a ductless mini-split heat pump to your Chickasha OK home. DeHart Air Conditioning recommend the energy-efficient Mitsubishi Electric ductless mini-split for effortless cooling (and heating) without the expense of bulky ductwork. A mini split consists of two units, an outside heat pump and an inside air handler, which is controlled with the touch of a button. They are easy to install and provide specific cooling for bedrooms, additions or anywhere it is needed.
UPDATE YOUR CENTRAL AIR
If your central air conditioning is older than 10 years, it may be time to consider upgrading your cooling. Today’s AC options are extremely energy efficient and your AC expert at DeHart Air Conditioning can help determine the most cost-effective solution to an aging central air system. Some signs that it may be time to upgrade include:
- Repeated service calls, with repairs costing more than 25% of a new system
- Escalating energy costs
- AC does not seem to cool the way it should
There are several options to consider for air conditioning replacement. DeHart Air Conditioning offers a selection of high efficiency conventional cooling systems. They are also experienced installers of geothermal heat pumps, a proven technology that uses the earth’s heat to both heat and cool your home.
IMPLEMENT HEATING & COOLING ZONES
The more people living in your home, the more temperature preferences there will be. If Brother is in the living room, he may want it colder than Sister in her bedroom. Creating zones will reduce arguments over the thermostat while keeping everyone happy. Zoning can be accomplished through additional heating and cooling equipment like ductless mini splits, or through expert ductwork design.
CONTROL YOUR HOME HUMIDITY
Do you know what the sweet spot is for the humidity in your home? Keeping the relative humidity above 40% and below 60% will reduce the risk of mold growth in your home and keep your family from experiencing the symptoms of extreme dryness.
There are plenty of other benefits as well. When your home is less humid than the muggy summer air, your home will feel much cooler without you having to rely on your air conditioner to reduce the temperature. Installing a whole home humidifier will increase your indoor air quality and year-round comfort.
CONVERT YOUR FIREPLACE
The smell of a wood fire can be intoxicating, but at what cost? Older wood burning fireplaces are inherently leaky and will suck the air right out of your home all year long. These puts added strain and wear and tear on your furnace and air conditioner and introduces excess carbon particles into the air you breathe. Plus, who wants to chop wood in the middle of winter? Convert your wood fireplace to an energy efficient gas log fireplace, so you can still enjoy the warmth of a fire without the energy loss.