15 Ways to Reduce Air Conditioning Costs in Sharonville
Are you burdened by increasing utility costs this summer? To reduce AC costs without losing comfort, you should adopt energy-saving habits, implement low-cost changes and make strategic long-term investments. Here are 15 tried and tested techniques to consider.
Adopt Good Energy Habits
Lowering AC expenses may be easier than you imagine. Here are some completely free ways to ease your monthly energy bills:
1. Keep curtains and blinds closed: Around 76 percent of the sunlight that hits standard double-pane windows gets into the building as heat. By closing out the sun with insulating curtains and blinds over your south- and west-facing windows, you minimize solar heat gain in the afternoon and reduce the demand for air conditioning.
2. Turn up the temperature: You can save up to three percent on your AC bills for each degree you raise the temperature. Try setting your thermostat a little higher than usual and running a fan to make up the difference.
3. Turn off the lights when not in use: Lights, especially incandescent bulbs, make a whole lot of heat. Turning them off when you aren't in the room decreases the interior heat gain your air conditioning must combat.
4. Use appliances strategically: Wait to use heat-generating appliances like the oven, dryer and dishwasher until the cooler part of the day. This technique relieves some of your AC’s workload during the hot afternoon, bringing down your bill and boosting home comfort.
5. Run kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans: Get rid of heat and humidity while cooking and showering to cut down the workload on your AC.
Invest in Low-Cost Upgrades
If you’re willing to part with a few dollars, you can put an even larger dent in your air conditioning spending. Here are some affordable improvements to consider:
6. Set up a programmable thermostat: If you still have a manual thermostat, think about upgrading. A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature according to your activities. You can slash AC expenditures by up to 10 percent by dialing the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours per day. Thanks to automatic recovery periods, you can experience these savings without inconvenience or discomfort.
7. Schedule regular maintenance: Your air conditioning needs regular checkups to make sure it runs properly and efficiently. Maintenance visits every spring also offer a chance to identify and resolve little issues before they grow into expensive repairs. This small, predictable cost provides a tremendous return on investment through improved efficiency and can lengthen the unit's life.
8. Seal leaks: In many homes, leaky windows and doors are responsible for approximately 25 percent of its cooling energy use. Fix those pesky leaks with caulk and weatherstripping.
9. Add reflective window film: Window film reflects the sun’s rays to the exterior, reducing solar heat gain. This budget-friendly upgrade is a great way to enhance your older windows’ efficiency without replacing them.
10. Upgrade to LED lights: LEDs produce almost no heat and utilize a lot less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. These attributes help keep your home from getting warm and lower lighting costs as well.
Consider Long-Term Home Investments
If you’re ready93 to make more significant improvements, consider the following investments to cut air conditioning costs in the long run:
11. Insulate the attic: Hot air can seep through the ceiling if your attic isn’t adequately insulated. Peer inside the attic, and if you don’t see a substantial, even layer of insulation, consider adding more. Depending on what kind of insulation you choose, you could need to employ a professional for the job.
12. Plant trees for natural shade: Planting leafy trees on the south and west sides of your house reduces sunlight and generates a cool microclimate around your home, naturally reducing your cooling needs.
13. Replace your windows: Old, single-pane windows let in quite a bit of heat, making your HVAC system to work harder. Installing double- or triple-pane windows with advanced glazing features improves your home’s air-tightness and keeps the interior cooler.
14. Upgrade your AC system: Operating an aging air conditioner is more costly than you might think. Upgrading from a decade-old 10 SEER model to a modern 15 SEER unit can save you 33 percent on your AC bills. The savings capacity of this purchase is even more if you’re prepared to invest more up front.
15. Install solar panels: Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity to run your HVAC and other electric devices. The ongoing savings, coupled with tax incentives available through 2035, make this a worthwhile investment.
Save More on Your AC in Sharonville With Help From Knochelmann Service Experts
At Knochelmann Service Experts, we make the extra step to deliver133 top-notch HVAC services that help cut air conditioning costs in the long run. Because of our top-quality products, Expert knowledge and attention to detail, we feel secure backing our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. To learn more about how we can help reduce your summer AC expenditures, please reach out to the Experts at Knochelmann Service Experts. Schedule your appointment today by calling 859-905-0834!
