Cosby HVAC Blogs

Summers in Ohio are hot and humid, with temperatures rising well into the 90s. These high temperatures inspire many people to run their air conditioners constantly, causing their energy bills to rise.

If you want to save on air conditioning costs, then you need to know how to cool down your home in other ways. Here are just a few things you can do to keep your home cool and your energy bill down.

1. Turn Your Lights Off

Turning the lights off in your home is one of the easiest things you can do to reduce heat and keep your electric bill low. Leaving lights on in unoccupied rooms is a waste of electricity and will hike up your energy costs. It will also emit unnecessary heat that will in turn warm up your home.

You may also want to consider switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs. This will ensure that you are saving energy even when your lights are on.

2. Bump the Temperature Up

Surprisingly, turning the thermostat up is one of the most cost-effective ways to cool your home. Play around to find the highest possible temperature you can keep your thermostat at while still remaining comfortable.

You can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat back seven to ten degrees from its normal setting. So, a few degrees can make all of the difference while still allowing you to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

3. Turn Off Unused Appliances

Appliances emit more heat and take up more energy than you may think. Unplug large appliances like your TV, computer, and lamps when you are not using them. If you are unable to unplug them, then at least make it a point to turn them off.

Even phone and tablet chargers can put off unwanted heat. Consider charging your devices at night or in the morning, when the temperatures are at their coolest.

4. Schedule Routine HVAC Maintenance

When searching how to save money on air conditioning costs, many people overlook just how helpful routine HVAC maintenance can be. Scheduling an HVAC checkup at least once a year can help you to ensure that your system is running smoothly.

If you need a reliable and professional HVAC service in Bellville, then feel free to check out our services for more information.

5. Keep Curtains Shut

One way to keep your home cool is to keep the sunlight out. Keep your curtains closed to prevent direct sunlight from heating up your home. Make it a point to make your home as dark as possible when you aren’t home, as you don’t need the sunlight then anyway.

If you prefer to let the sunlight into your home, then you may want to consider tinting your windows or installing a solar film. This will allow you to keep the cool air in while blocking the harsh ultraviolet rays that heat up your home.

6. Run Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans take up far less energy than your air conditioning system. Fans can help to circulate the air in your home, and you can leave them running in place of your air conditioner. Even small fans that plug into the wall are a smarter choice than running your air conditioner all of the time.

Make sure to run your fans counterclockwise to push the air down and create a cool breeze throughout your home.

7. Open Windows at Night

One great way to cut down on those rising summer cooling costs is to open your windows when the temperatures are lower. Leave your windows open at night and in the morning to let some of the cooler air in. This will prevent you from needing to run your air conditioner all night long.

It is also important to make sure your windows are closing properly to create a good seal between your home and the outside air. Also, you should ensure that there are no cracks or spaces in or between your windows that could let hot air into your home.

8. Cook Outside

Using the oven can create a lot of unwanted heat in the home. If the weather permits, then you may want to consider cooking food outside using a grill.

If you can’t cook outside, then make it a point to avoid using the oven. Try to stock up on meals that can be eaten straight out of the refrigerator or don’t require the use of the oven.

9. Switch to Cotton Sheets and Clothing

Cotton is one of the most breathable fabrics, which is essential to have to beat the hot summer heat. Clothing made of cotton is a great way to keep yourself cool even when your house is warm.

In addition to clothing, you may also want to consider cotton for your bedding. This can keep you cool during the night and prevent you from feeling the need to turn up the air conditioner.

Start Saving On Your Air Conditioning Costs Today

Saving on your air conditioning costs begins with just a few small changes to your daily routine. Remembering to do things as simple as turning off lights or closing the blinds can make all of the difference when it comes to your electric bills.

If you are experiencing any heating or cooling issues, or just need some expert advice, then feel free to contact us. We are always here to help you with all of your heating and cooling needs in the Bellville area.

Did you know the industry in America for heating and air conditioning contractors has a value of over $120 billion each year?

More than 118,000 businesses around the country provide people with quality air conditioning. Clearly, American homeowners value the ability to control the temperature of their homes.

It is hard to overstate how much value a great AC system can provide. However, even modern systems sometimes break down. Is your AC not cooling your house down the way it used to?

In most cases, this results from one of a few common AC unit issues. Read on to learn about the most likely causes of the AC problems you are experiencing.

1. Your HVAC Issues May Stem From Dirty Coils

Coil problems can explain why your AC is running but not cooling.

Many people think of AC systems as devices that produce cold air. While this is true, it is also correct to think of them as devices that suck up warm air and direct it outside your home.

To do this, they have coils in your home that absorb heat. They then transfer the heat in those coils to others outside your home.

However, these coils need to be clean to function correctly. Otherwise, your indoor coils may soak up heat and then be unable to direct it outdoors. Eventually, that heat will return to your home, preventing your AC system from cooling your house.

On the other hand, your indoor coils might be dirty, preventing them from absorbing any heat in the first place. Not only will this prevent your AC system from cooling your home, but it will also cause it to run non-stop.

Your energy bills will start to spike as your home heats up. On top of that, if your AC system never gets a break, it is more likely to develop other problems.

What starts as a single problem with your AC system can compound into multiple issues. When one part of the system isn’t working, it places stress on all of the other parts. That is why it is crucial to fix problems as soon as possible.

2. A Leak May Be Increasing Your Energy Bill

The refrigerant in your AC system allows the coils to move heat from inside your house to outside. If the refrigerant leaks, the coils will no longer function properly, no matter how clean they are.

On top of that, leaking refrigerants can damage other components of your AC system.

If this problem is minor, your AC system may be able to keep cooling your house somewhat. However, it will consume more energy to do so. That will lead to higher energy bills.

As the problem gets worse, and it probably will get worse, your AC system will continue to consume extra energy, but it will no longer be able to cool your home.

3. Your Condenser Unit May Be Blocked

Your AC system comes with a condenser placed outside. As long as this system has plenty of access to air, it will work just fine.

However, these units can get blocked by plants and other debris. If they are blocked, they will no longer be able to release the heat from inside your home outside.

4. Your Air Filter May Be Clogged

Your AC system processes vast quantities of air. It actually doubles as a sort of air filtration system. That is because it removes the contaminants from the air that it processes.

However, those contaminants don’t just disappear. Instead, they end up in the air filter of your AC system.

Once this air filter is full of contaminants, your AC system will have less and less access to air. That can keep it from functioning efficiently, leading to higher energy bills and less cooling.

5. You May Need Ohio HVAC Repair for Your Compressor

Your AC system will stop working if the compressor is broken. This is because the compressor ensures that your AC system has the correct pressure.

If your compressor is broken, you need to call expert repair services to fix it.

6. Your System May Be Too Old

Some systems simply wear out over time. If you have had your system for many years, then practically every component of your AC might have minor problems of one kind or another that need repair or replacement.

However, at that point, it doesn’t make sense to replace single components. Instead, it is worth consulting an installation company about buying a new AC.

7. The Problem Might Be Your Thermostat

If your AC is not cooling the house, it might be a problem with the thermostat rather than the unit itself. That can be good news since the thermostat is often an easy fix.

Your thermostat may even be working fine. It just might be that you have the wrong settings. Ensure that the fan is set to “on” and the system to “cool.”

Is Your AC Not Cooling Your Home?

Is your AC not cooling your house down? Knowing more about what is going on with your system can help you resolve the problem with as little fuss and expense as possible.

Since almost every homeowner in the USA depends on an AC system, at least over the summer months, it makes sense to learn how to care for them.

To learn more about AC problems or to speak with experts who can help you remedy them, get in touch with us here any time!