Seven smart ways to cut your cooling bill this summer

Date: June 28, 2018

Your home cooling bill is among your most costly home expenses – especially in a summer that is as hot as experts predict this will be for us here in Massachusetts. But there are ways to help out your A/C so it doesn’t have to work quite as hard to keep your family comfortable.

Try these seven cost-effective tips to help you reduce your cooling bills this summer.

• Cool only rooms you use – If you have central air conditioning , close vents in rooms you don’t use, or consider installing a zoned cooling system . if you have a ductless air conditioning , use only the air handlers you need.
• Keep air circulating – Air circulated by ceiling fans feels cooler, which means you can raise your thermostat by about four degrees with no loss of comfort. Every degree counts: according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, you can expect to save about 3-5 percent on air conditioning bills for each degree you raise the thermostat. Just make sure your fan blades are turning counterclockwise to pull cool air up rather than pushing rising hot air back into the room (see your owner’s manual for directions for switching the rotation of your ceiling fan).
• Check and change /clean your air filters – A dirty air filter cuts air flow, causing your air conditioner to work harder to force air through your ducts. Not only will this raise your bills now by reducing efficiency, it will also cost you later in the form of costly (and preventable) air conditioner repairs. Check your HVAC filter monthly, and plan to change it at least once every summer.
• Use window treatments – Trapped solar heat can give your air conditioner a heavy cooling load to bear. Reflective window treatments can send some of that heat back where it came from. You can learn more about window treatments on the Department of Energy’s website.
• Use your programmable thermostat – Remember that 3-5 percent per degree savings we talked about earlier? That applies when you’re out of the house, too. Use the timer on your thermostat to run your house slightly warmer when no one is home and when you’re sleeping. When you’re home, target a temperature of about 78 degrees – a temperature the Department of Energy says represents the best balance of comfort and energy savings.
• Get an air conditioning tune-up
 – Performing routine A/C maintenance won’t just keep your equipment running better, it will also help prevent premature equipment breakdown. Resist the temptation to skip a year, even with new equipment. In fact, it may be a condition of your warranty.
• Consider a cooling system upgrade – A new high efficiency central air conditioner or ductless air conditioner can save you 30 percent on your monthly bills compared to your older model, which means it will pay for itself in just a few years – especially when you consider Mass Save efficiency rebates and manufacture’s incentives.Our experts can help you choose a cooling system that’s a perfect match for your home and lifestyle, with options available in all sizes and configurations. We’ll help you sort through your rebate options, too so you’ll get the best bang for your cooling buck.

Contact Cubby’s today for air conditioning service, or to get a FREE, no obligation estimate on a new high efficiency cooling system for your Boston-area home!