Air conditioning costs can be mystifying at times. Why are they fine one month and out of control the next? And what can you do to get them back in line? Many homeowners find themselves asking these same questions and it is no surprise why. Our air conditioners keep us happy, healthy, and comfortable all summer long.
With the following tips in mind and the help of the Galmiche & Sons heating & air conditioning experts, you can demystify your HVAC system. In the St. Louis area, give us a call today at (314) 993-1110.
Tips for Managing Air Conditioning Costs
If you are trying to keep your air conditioner bill under control, have a look at some of our favorite tips:
- Change Your Air Filters – This is probably the easiest way to cut down on air conditioning costs. Especially in the summer, you will want to make sure air filters are being changed often enough and that you have the right kind of air filter for your unit.
- Get a Programmable Thermostat – Programmable thermostats take all the guesswork out of reducing your air conditioning bills. Since they allow you to set the target temperature for different times of day, and even control the temperature remotely, you will never be wasting energy cooling an empty home or overshooting your temperature target.
- Seal Your Windows – Sealing your windows in the summer can help provide additional insulation and cut down on air conditioning costs. It is one of the top summer home maintenance tips to be aware of as some windows transfer quite a lot of heat into your home!
- Turn Off Appliances – This one is great both for saving on air conditioning costs and for the environment. Unplugging and turning off appliances when they are not in use is always a good idea. It can also help prevent accidental fires!
- Get Regular Maintenance – Regular maintenance visits can catch small problems with your AC before they become big ones. Or, before they waste a lot of your money. Sometimes unnoticed issues can really drive up your air conditioning costs. So, if you notice a spike in your bills, make sure to have your HVAC system checked out.
Five More Tips to Help Reduce Costs
In addition to the above, the following are a couple more things you can do to reduce cooling bills:
- Improve Insulation – In addition to sealing your windows, you can take other steps to improve the insulation in your home, such as sealing around doors or having more insulation added.
- Seal Unused Cooling Ducts – If you have cooling ducts open in rooms you don’t use, such as the attic, consider sealing them to save on air conditioning costs. An HVAC professional can recommend other ductwork as well to help direct air to the most needed places.
- Move Furniture – This is an easy one. Make sure vents are not being blocked by furniture! This will interrupt the airflow, making your AC work harder, and increasing your air conditioning costs.
- Clean Outdoor Unit – Similarly, you want to make sure the outdoor unit of your air conditioner is not being blocked by shrubs, debris, or anything else. Simply cleaning and unblocking the outdoor AC unit can save you a lot in air conditioning costs.
- Upgrade your System – The ultimate way to save money on air conditioning costs is to upgrade your HVAC system. New AC models are much more energy-efficient, which will save you a lot of money over time. Not to mention, they generally come with programmable thermostats and other cost-saving technology.
At Galmiche and Sons, We Can Help You Lower Air Conditioning Costs
If you decide it may be time to upgrade, be sure to check out our air conditioner buying guide. Then, give the heating & air conditioning team at Galmiche & Sons a call at (314) 993-1110.
