According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), AC use accounts for approximately 17% of energy expenditure in a typical home. This figure can rise to 27% in regions with higher humidity and this can really drive up the costs of home cooling. At a time when energy costs are rising, it’s understandable that people want to save money without compromising their indoor comfort. In this article, we will look at seven ways to reduce home cooling costs throughout the summer.
1. Seal Door and Window Air Leak
The door and window frames may have air leaks that degrade the performance and energy efficiency of the AC system. The treated air can escape and the warmer outdoor air can enter to raise the temperature. When there are multiple air leaks, the AC system will need to work much harder to compensate for the loss of treated air. This raises the workload which can lead to an unexpected repair bill and higher energy costs.
There are many places to find air gaps including door and window frames, dropped ceilings, air ducts, outlets and switches, attic entrances, behind knee walls, furnaces and water flues, and more. These air gaps can be sealed with caulk and door frames should be sealed with weather stripping.
2. Installing New Windows
This solution does cost money, but if you have older windows and you’re already considering an upgrade it’s a good idea to examine your options. Investing in new energy-efficient windows can significantly lower the running costs of an HVAC system. These windows have an energy efficient coating that lowers the UV and infrared light that will pass through the glass and into the home. The windows will reflect heat away in summer and retain the collected heat in winter. This is useful when you want to maintain consistent indoor temperatures throughout the year without breaking the bank.
3. Install a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
The latest programmable and smart thermostats are a significant leap forward in HVAC system control. They have monitoring features, timing, remote control via Wifi, and behavioral learning systems that can have a huge impact on energy costs. It’s easy to set schedules, make efficiency tweaks and make changes in real time. The micro-temperature adjustments alone can save a typical household up to 10% annually. This is made with 7-10º incremental temperature changes over a normal day of cooling. Smart AC systems can be expensive, but it may be possible to pair a new smart thermostat with your existing HVAC system to save money.
4. Night-Time Ventilation
It’s important to bring cooler air into the home at night to increase the oxygen levels. If the doors and windows are closed for most of the summer, the air will soon become stale and unhealthy. In fact, the indoor air quality (IAQ) in most homes contains more pollutants than the air outside.
When you open the windows at night, you’re getting free cooling which is more effective if you can set up some cross ventilation. Adding some fans to speed up this process is extremely effective, but there is a caveat. Don’t run the AC at night if you have the windows open because additional stress is placed on the system.
5. HVAC Air Filter Replacement
A heating and cooling system relies on the steady circulation of air throughout the home. All the air will circulate through the air multiple times every day and this air will contain airborne pollutants, including dirt, dust, pet dander, pollen, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and more.
These contaminants are spread throughout the home if there isn’t an air filter with a MERV rating of 8 installed. If an air filter is clogged with these pollutants, the air cannot pass through which is a major problem. The HVAC system will need to work harder to compensate for this lack of airflow. When equipment is overworked, it is more prone to failure and it wears out faster leading to an earlier than expected replacement.
All of these problems can be avoided with regular air filter changes. The replacement frequency should be every 3 months when it’s cooler and every 1-2 months during summer. If you have pets living in the home, the air filter changes should be more frequent because the filter can become clogged with pet hair and dander.
6. Check the AC System Size
Many people purchase the largest air conditioning system that they can afford because bigger is always better. This is flawed thinking, the AC system must be the right size to meet the needs of the home. There are online calculators to carry out a load calculation to ascertain the right system size. But, these don’t take into account a number of important factors, including the number of windows, the home layout, the orientation of the home, insulation levels, and many more.
If the AC system is too small, it will be overworked and it may never reach the temperature set on the thermostat. If it’s too large, it will cool the space too quickly which will force the equipment to turn off and on rapidly. This is known as short-cycling, this can raise the energy bill, damage the equipment, and shorten the lifespan of the HVAC system. If you’re considering a new HVAC system installation, contact your local heating and cooling specialist for a professional load calculation. This will ensure that you’re getting the best system to match the heating and cooling needs of your home.
7. Regular HVAC Maintenance
Many homeowners ignore the maintenance requirements of their HVAC systems. They may only contact a heating and cooling specialist when something goes wrong. This is a false economy because well maintained equipment will perform better with improved energy efficiency and it will last longer too. An HVAC technician can check the system, perform maintenance and give the homeowner a heads up on any potential problems. It’s usually less expensive to fix minor issues at an earlier stage before they develop into larger problems.
If you want to schedule some essential HVAC maintenance or you’re considering an upgrade, contact your local heating and cooling specialist.