Date: July 1, 2024
With summer unambiguously upon us in the greater Boston area, your central air conditioning equipment is no doubt getting a heck of a workout.
But running your central air conditioning constantly is not cheap! In fact, air conditioning is the largest consumer of residential electricity in the U.S. However, there are many ways that you can reduce your A/C-related costs without lowering your summer comfort. At Cubby Oil & Energy, we are constantly working with homeowners to do just that. Here are six ways to be more energy efficient with your home cooling.
You can run a ceiling fan all day for pennies, and simply moving air around will make your home feel cooler. Running a fan throughout the day will help you reduce how often your central ac needs to cycle.
If your HVAC system’s air filter is dirty or clogged, it could obstruct the flow of cooled air into your home. The result: your cooling system needs to work harder and consumes more electricity. Checking and changing your filters is a simple but significant way to boost your system efficiency.
We suggest that you check your air filter each month in the heating and cooling seasons. If it’s dirty, either clean it (if it’s reusable) or replace it.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has found that the average household can lower their heating and cooling costs by 10% by setting back their thermostats 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day.
With a programmable thermostat or a Wi-fi-enabled smart thermostat, you can schedule these adjustments to happen when you’re asleep or out of the house.
The DOE has also found that over 30% of A/C-related energy consumption can be attributed to duct losses, cooled air escaping through leaky ductwork. If your forced-air HVAC system has older ducts, it might be a good idea to bring in a company to inspect and seal them for you. This could go a long way to lowering your overall heating and cooling costs.
Your home’s cooling equipment should receive yearly maintenance from a professional HVAC technician. At Cubby Oil & Energy, we perform comprehensive A/C service that keeps equipment running efficiently and for the longest lifespan possible. It also gives us the opportunity to catch small issues with your system before they can cause a breakdown.
If your cooling system is over 10 years old, it might be working far less efficiently than today’s products (especially if your current system hasn’t received regular maintenance). Upgrading to a high-efficiency central air conditioning system can dramatically lower your annual electricity consumption. Our team will help you find a top-of-the-line cooling system, install it and work with you to take advantage of any available financial incentives.
Is a new cooling system in your future? Reach out to Cubby Oil & Energy today to receive a free estimate.