5 Ways To Save On Cooling Costs - A-Abel Family of Companies

Summer is here and while we all look forward to sunshine and outdoor fun, the thought of those soaring energy bills can put a damper on the excitement. Your air conditioner works hard to keep your home cool, but there are smart strategies you can employ to lighten its load and lighten your wallet.

At A-Abel, we’re dedicated to keeping you comfortable without breaking the bank. Here are our top 5 tips for savings money on your energy bills this summer:

1.Master Your Thermostat (and Consider an Upgrade!)

Your thermostat is the command center of your home’s cooling. Using it wisely is crucial for savings.

The Sweet Spot: Aim for the highest comfortable temperature you can tolerate. Every degree you raise the thermostat can save you 1-3% on cooling costs.
Programmable or Smart Thermostats: If you don’t have one, consider upgrading. There devices allow you to pre-program temperature changes based on your schedule, so your AC isn’t working overtime when no one’s home. Smart thermostats can even learn your preferences and adjust automatically, offering even greater savings.

Setting Thermostat

2.Prioritize Regular AC Maintenance

This might sound like an expense, but it’s truly an investment that pays for itself.

The Annual Tune-Up: Just like your car, your AC system needs regular professional maintenance. A-Abel’s spring tune-up includes cleaning coils, checking refrigerant levels, inspecting electrical connections, and ensuring all components are running efficiently.
Why It Saves You Money: A well-maintained AC runs at peak efficiency, meaning it uses less energy to produce the same amount of cool air. It also helps identify minor issues before they become major, costly breakdowns. It’s the best way to prevent your AC from struggling and consuming excess power.

3.Embrace Smart Landscaping & Window Treatments

Your home’s exterior play a significant role in how much heat gets inside.

Strategic Shade: Plant deciduous trees and shrubs on the south and west sides of your home. In summer, their leaves will provide shade, blocking direct sunlight and reducing heat gain. In winter, they’ll lose their leaves, allowing passive solar heating.
Block the Sun: Close blinds, curtains, or shades (especially light-colored ones) during the hottest parts of the day, particularly on south and west-facing windows. This simple step can significantly reduce the amount of heat entering your home through the glass.
Awnings and Overhangs: Consider adding awnings or extended overhangs to block direct sun from windows.

4.Seal Up Air leaks & Improve Insulation

Your cool air is expensive – don’t let it escape!

Caulk and Weatherstripping: Check around windows, doors, and any penetrations (like pipes or wires) for gaps and cracks. Use caulk and weatherstripping to seal these leaks. This prevents cool air from escaping and warm air from entering.
Attic and Wall Insulation: Ensure your home has adequate insulation in the attic and walls. Good insulation acts like a thermal barrier, keeping heat out in the summer and warmth in during the winter. This means your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain your desired temperature.
Ductwork Inspection: Leaky ducts can lose significantly amount of cooled air before it even reaches your rooms. have your ductwork inspected and sealed if necessary.

Window Caulking

5.Utilize Fans Strategically

Fans don’t cool the air, but they create a wind chill effect that can make you feel cooler, allowing you to raise your thermostat setting.

Ceiling Fans: Ensure ceiling fans are rotating counter-clockwise in summer (looking up at the fan) to push air down and create a cooling breeze. Turn them off when you leave a room, as they only cool people, not spaces.
Whole-House Fans: If you live in an area with cooler evening temperatures, a whole-house fan can pull cool outdoor air through your home and push hot indoor air out of the attic.
Exhaust Fans: Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to quickly remove heat and humidity generated by cooking and showering.

By implementing these top 5 energy-saving tips, you can significantly reduce your utility bills this summer while staying comfortable and cool in your home.

If you have questions about your AC’s efficiency, need a maintenance tune-up, or are considering an upgrade, the experts at A-Abel are here to help. Contact us today!

FAQ’s:

How often should I get my AC unit professionally maintained?
- We recommend scheduling professional AC maintenance once a year, ideally in the spring before heavy summer cooling season begins. This ensures your system runs efficiently and helps prevent costly breakdowns.
Will closing vents in unused rooms save me money?
- While it seems logical, closing vents in unused rooms can actually make your HVAC system less efficient and potentially cause issues. Your system is designed to move a specific amount of air. Closing vents can increase pressure in the ductwork, leading to leaks, reduced efficiency, and even damage to your blower motor. It’s better to manage temperatures with zoned systems (like ductless mini-splits) if you want to cool specific areas.
How do dirty filters impact my energy bill?
- A dirty air filter restricts airflow, forcing your HVAC system to work much harder to pull air through. This increased effort consumes more energy, leading to high electricity bills. it can also cause your system to overheat or even freeze up.