Reduce Your A/C Energy Bills This Summer with These Seven Tips

Cooling your home could account for 20 percent or more of your annual energy bill – but you can cut those costs significantly if you follow these seven tips:

1. Keep your air filters clean – Clogged air filters can make your air conditioner overwork to force air through your ducts, reducing efficiency and causing unnecessary wear and tear on your home cooling system. Check your air filter monthly – especially if you have furry pets – and replace or clean it as needed.
2. Manage your cool airflow – If you have central air conditioning, close registers in unoccupied rooms. If you have a ductless system, take advantage of zone cooling to target rooms where you spend the most time.
3. Use a ceiling fan – Ceiling fans circulate air cooled by your A/C, which allows you to raise the thermostat by about four degrees with no loss of comfort. Running a ceiling fan costs a lot less than running your A/C.
4. Run your A/C slightly warmer on hot days – Remember, it’s the contrast between outdoor and indoor temperatures – and not the absolute temperature of your home – that makes you feel cool.
5. Use a programmable thermostat – Let your house run slightly warmer when no one is home, and at night, too. When you’re home, target a temperature of about 77-78 degrees to balance comfort with energy savings.
6. Sign up for an A/C Service Plan – Investing in routine maintenance for your home cooling system is critical: it keeps your your equipment running at peak efficiency, helps you spot small issues before they require costly repairs, and helps extend the life of your equipment. Your warranty probably requires annual maintenance, too.

   The bottom line: if it’s been a year or more since your last A/C tune-up, schedule maintenance or sign up for an A/C Service Plan today.

7. Invest in a new cooling system – If your central air conditioning system is 10 years old or more, it’s probably time to consider replacing it. A new, high-SEER air conditioner that saves you 10-20 percent on your energy bills can pay for itself in 3 or 4 years, and bring you cooler, quieter performance in the meantime.

Contact Pioneer today for a free estimate on a new cooling system for your Massachusetts home!