Air Conditioning Tips To Save on Your Home’s Energy Costs
Here are some HVAC Tips that we hope will save you some money on your air conditioning costs this season. Most are fairly simple and can be done rather quickly and easily. These tips can also help extend the life of your heating and cooling equipment in your home, saving you even more money in the long run.
Keep your air filter clean.
Change air filters regularly. Depending on your system, the air filter in your system should be checked monthly and changed as needed. Factors such as smoking or pets can also increase the frequency with which you need to change your filters. A dirty air filter causes your system to work harder, increasing energy use, while decreasing the life of your system. This is a leading cause of service calls.
Keep your home 2-3 degrees warmer when you’re not at home.
You can install a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat and set a schedule so that your heating or air conditioning system only operates when necessary. Setting the temperature to be a few degrees warmer when you are not home will save on energy costs, but avoid drastic swings in temperature settings, which will cause your air conditioning system to struggle to keep the home comfortable.
Keep your curtains and blinds closed during the day.
If possible, utilize heavier or sun-blocking blinds during warm weather. Sunlight coming in can dramatically increase the temperature inside your home, forcing your air conditioner to keep running, and costing you on your electric bill.
Make sure your vents and registers are clear of obstructions.
Furniture or draperies should be moved so that they don’t block the vents. Watch out for toys or other clutter that can accumulate in front of vents. Vacuum the vents regularly to keep them dust-free and the air flowing freely.
Reverse the direction that your ceiling fan spins.
Many ceiling fans have dual-direction capability. In the summer, your fan should be rotating counter-clockwise if you stand under it and look up. This will pull the warmer air up towards the ceiling.
Install a high-efficiency air conditioning system.
Today’s new systems are much more energy efficient than systems even a few years old. When you add in the decrease in efficiency due to age, it can be a significant difference. Meyer & Depew offers free, in-home consultations to see if a high-efficiency system makes sense for you. A ten-year parts and labor warranty gives you peace of mind that your system will run reliably for many years. A new system can result in substantial savings on your heating and cooling bill, especially with rising energy costs in New Jersey.
Make sure your system receives maintenance every year.
Keeping your A/C system running in top condition may be the best cost-saving tip of all. Our affordable service plans include a yearly maintenance visit that will thoroughly check your cooling system to make sure it operates at peak performance. According to the EPA’s Energy Star guide, regular maintenance, such as the kind received as part of a heating and cooling plan, will save you money in energy costs.* At Meyer & Depew, our full-year service plan can cost less than the yearly maintenance visit! Give us a call at (908) 272-2100 or fill out the form on this page to find more. Our service plans are a simple way to ensure your system is functioning at its peak performance.
Check out our specials page with deals to help keep you cool and comfortable all summer.