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The heat of the summer can be brutal, especially when temperatures continue breaking records every year. As extreme weather becomes a norm, keeping your home cool becomes more difficult. Summer AC costs are high, but as average summer temperatures continue to climb, so does the cost of running your AC. Luckily there are practical and effective ways to optimize your HVAC system’s efficiency and keep cooling costs low. Our expert tips will reduce your monthly utility bills and help prevent breakdowns on even the hottest summer days.
1. The Importance of Regular AC Tune-Ups
Over time, dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate in your AC system, affecting its efficiency. During an AC tune-up, a professional technician will clean the condenser, evaporator, and other components, ensuring optimal airflow and heat transfer. Clean components result in improved energy efficiency, reducing the workload on the system and lowering your energy bills.
An efficiently running AC system consumes less energy. An AC tune-up helps reduce energy waste and saves you money in the long term by addressing any inefficiencies, replacing filters, and optimizing the system's performance. Additionally, AC tune-ups significantly extend the lifespan of your AC system. By catching and resolving minor problems early on, you can prevent them from escalating into major and costly repairs. This proactive approach helps prolong the lifespan of your AC unit, saving you money in the long run.
Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure your AC system runs at peak performance. Scheduling an AC tune-up before the summer begins will prevent unexpected breakdowns and expensive repairs.
What Is The Best AC Tune-Up Service?
Several factors must be considered when looking for a reliable AC tune-up service. One of the most important things to look for is licensing. Licensed technicians are most familiar with the best HVAC practices and have all the necessary training and equipment to optimize your AC.
Homeowners should also look for services with certifications. Companies certified by the Environmental Protection Agency use AC tune-up techniques with the homeowner's and the environment’s best interests in mind.
Additionally, many companies offer happiness or satisfaction guarantees that protect the homeowner from mediocre work. If you’re unhappy or unsatisfied with your AC tune-up, they’ll typically return to your home and correct any issues for no additional cost.
Filterbuy HVAC Solutions is a licensed and EPA-certified HVAC service provider. Our technicians are highly skilled and educated professionals that will thoroughly inspect your AC and nip any issues in the bud. Each Filterbuy HVAC Solutions service has a Happiness Guarantee, so you never have to worry about unsatisfactory work. Get a free quote for your AC tune-up or any other service we offer here.
2. Invest in High-Quality AC Filters
The AC filter is an often overlooked but essential component of your AC system. AC filters capture dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles, ensuring clean and fresh air in your home. However, forgetting to change your AC filter can actually damage your HVAC system.
When you forget to change your AC filter, the filter gets clogged, and airflow is restricted. When airflow is restricted, your air conditioning system has to work harder to cool your home. This increased workload leads to higher energy consumption, as the system requires more energy to compensate for the reduced airflow. As a result, your energy bills can significantly increase.
What Are The Best AC Filters?
Filterbuy makes the highest quality AC filters on the market. We use pleated filter media, durable reinforced wire backing, and a heat and humidity-resistant frame to ensure your filter lasts for a full 3 months. Our filters are 100% manufactured in the United States and designed with recyclable materials. Unlike our competitors, we never use fiberglass in our filter media, so you can trust that your filters are safe and will last 3 times longer than the standard fiberglass model.
With Filterbuy, you never have to wonder if the size you need is in stock. Our AC filters come in 600+ sizes across 3 different MERV ratings – if you can’t find your size, we can even custom-build filters to the exact dimensions you need and ship them right to your door.
3. Optimize AC Settings and Usage
Adjusting your AC settings and usage habits can significantly impact your energy bills. The smallest changes can help you save hundreds of dollars a year. Below are some tips to help you optimize your AC system's performance:
Invest in a programmable thermostat that allows you to set higher temperatures when you're away from home and lower temperatures when you return. This way, you can avoid cooling an empty house unnecessarily.
Use ceiling fans and cross-ventilation to enhance airflow and create a more comfortable environment. Fans can help circulate cool air and reduce your reliance on the AC.
Use curtains, blinds, or shades to prevent direct sunlight from entering your home. This reduces the heat gain and lessens the load on your AC unit.
Many modern AC systems have an energy-saving mode. Activate this mode to maximize efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
Enhance Home Insulation
Insulation is essential for keeping your home cool because it minimizes heat transfer and maintains a stable indoor temperature. Insulation is a barrier against heat flow, preventing heat from entering your home. It contains materials with high thermal resistance, such as fiberglass, cellulose, or foam. By slowing down heat transfer, insulation minimizes the heat that enters your home.
During hot summer months, insulation helps reduce heat gain. It blocks and absorbs the sun's radiant heat, preventing it from penetrating through walls, roofs, and windows and increasing the temperature inside your home.
Insulation also plays a role in sealing air leaks. It helps fill gaps and cracks in the building envelope, preventing warm air from infiltrating your home and cool air from escaping. This air sealing, combined with insulation, creates a more airtight environment, reducing heat gain and loss.
By creating a thermal barrier, insulation helps regulate indoor temperature. It keeps hot and cool air out, allowing your air conditioning system to work more efficiently. With less heat infiltration, your AC doesn't need to work as hard to cool your home, resulting in improved energy efficiency and lower cooling costs.
Proper insulation promotes energy efficiency by reducing the need for excessive cooling. It helps your air conditioning system operate optimally, consuming less energy to maintain a comfortable indoor environment. This translates to lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact.
AC Preparation For The Summer
Implementing these strategies and staying proactive with HVAC maintenance are the best ways to prepare your AC for the summer. It’s possible to keep your AC costs low while also enjoying a cool and comfortable home during the scorching summer months. Schedule regular AC tune-ups, invest in high-quality AC filters, optimize your AC settings, and enhance home insulation to ensure your HVAC system operates at peak performance.
You don’t want to wait until your AC breaks in 100-degree weather to make the call. By this point, your broken AC would have inflated your energy bills for months, and you will likely have to pay for expensive system parts. You’ll also have to pay for the labor to install the new parts. Make the smart move and schedule a Filterbuy HVAC Solutions AC tune-up. Get your free quote here!
