Temperatures will remain high in the 80s and sometimes reaching up into the 90s through the rest of the summer. That means there’s not much relief in sight for your home’s air conditioning system, which you’ve probably already worked hard for past two months.
We imagine you’re accustomed to seeing high electric bills at this time of year. But if you’ve noticed they seem higher than normal, there are steps you can take to help cut down on costs—some of them simple, some a bit more complicated. We’ll guide you through a few. For those steps that require the assistance of professionals for air conditioning repair in Columbia, SC, you can always turn to us. We have 24/7 emergency service available for those desperate air conditioning moments!
Remember to change the air filter
Here’s a basic step that people often forget about. It’s probably the #1 reason for unnecessary increases in costs to run an air conditioner, which is why we’ve addressed it before. When the HVAC system filter is clogged with dust and other debris, it means the blower fan must work harder and consequently drain more electricity. An air filter should be changed every 1 to 3 months, depending on the strength of the filter.
Raise the thermostat
The best setting for the thermostat is to put it as high as your household finds comfortable and let it remain at that setting during the day. Raising the temperature up and down throughout the day according to whim puts more strain on the system and elevates costs. The bigger the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the faster the heat enters the indoors; if you instead keep the temperature up higher (we recommend aiming for 78°F, as does the Department of Energy), you’ll slow down heat entering the house and maintain a reliably comfortable environment.
Install a thermostat upgrade
If you have a manual thermostat or a no-frills digital one, we suggest you have an upgrade to a programmable or Wi-Fi “smart” thermostat. These thermostats make it easier to arrange energy-saving settings in your house, even when you aren’t there. The high-end thermostats develop their own programming to maximize energy savings without giving up comfort.
Schedule air conditioning repair
High electrical bills during the summer are often a warning that there’s trouble with the AC, such as motors wearing down, a loss of refrigerant, an electrical issue, etc. These will cause the air conditioner to work harder and consume more power. If you can’t find a simple reason behind the rise in electrical costs, call for a technician to look over the system and see if it needs repairs.
Replace the air conditioner
If you have an air conditioner that’s 15 years older or more, than the rise in utility bills may warn that the system can no longer keep up and is under increasing strain to manage its task. Although you can arrange to continue repairing it, this is probably throwing good money after bad. It’s better in the long-term to have a new, more efficient air conditioning system put in as a replacement.
Fulmer Heating & Cooling has been in business for more than 30 years. “Where Quality Counts”