6 Tips to Slash Your AC Energy Bills
May 31, 2024
Staying comfortable on the South Jersey Shore this summer is a cinch with your central air conditioner.
You will welcome the relief from the heat it provides day after day, although you may not be as enthusiastic about its impact on your wallet.
If your electricity costs climb every summer, your air conditioning system may be driving the increase. How do you decrease expenses without compromising your comfort?
Let our expert team at Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning do a little detective work.
- Choose a Professional for AC Service At Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we can assess your air conditioner and determine if it is outdated and on its last legs or merely needs a tune-up that can restore efficiency. We can help you institute energy-saving strategies to lower utility costs and offer solutions to improve comfort without busting your budget.
Our family-owned and operated business has been a fixture on the South Jersey Shore, assisting customers since 1911. We are the premier heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and plumbing business in Marmora and surrounding communities, with expertise in maintenance, repair, and installation.
As a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer, we can help you get the most out of your existing air conditioner or guide you in purchasing a new system. We also recommend these tips for keeping cooling costs down:
- AC Maintenance If you forego annual air conditioner tune-ups, your cooling system will lose efficiency as parts wear and accumulate dust and dirt. Components that require lubrication may break down or work harder to achieve the temperature set on your thermostat. You may notice your AC does not lower humidity as it did when it was new.
An annual checkup reveals minor issues that can become expensive problems if left unaddressed. AC maintenance restores efficiency and improves performance, lowering the risk of an unexpected breakdown. A well-maintained air conditioner uses less energy to cool your Ocean City home, and that keeps more money in your pocket.
- Change Your Air Filter A dirty air filter restricts airflow, causing your cooling system to work harder and use more energy, which increases electricity costs.
Check your air filter every month and replace it if it is dirty. Otherwise, follow the manufacturer’s recommendation on how frequently you should replace filters.
- Programmable Thermostats According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), you can save up to 10 percent on cooling costs by increasing your thermostat by 7° to 10° Fahrenheit in the summer. It recommends a thermostat setting “as high as is comfortable for you when you are at home.”
A programmable or smart thermostat can adjust the temperature based on scheduled settings. You can program the device to increase the temperature when you leave your Ocean City home for the day and restore it for optimal cooling when you return.
If your thermostat connects to Wi-Fi, you can program or change settings from any location. You can forget about programming if you buy a smart thermostat that adjusts the temperature based on your preferences. It saves energy by learning your habits at home and changes the temperature accordingly.
At Broadley’s, we offer something for everyone, from non-programmable to smart thermostats and brands that include Bryant, Honeywell, Emerson, Nest, and ecobee.
- Use Fans Run your ceiling fan while your AC operates. As it turns counterclockwise, the fan circulates the air and creates a draft. The DOE recommends increasing the thermostat setting by 4° Fahrenheit when running air conditioning and a ceiling fan simultaneously and says it will not reduce comfort.
Use table and floor fans to add a rush of chilly air. Using fans can reduce the workload on your AC.
- Upgrade Your AC System Consider replacing an outdated air conditioner that limps along with frequent repairs and does not deliver the comfort you need. The DOE says you may save 20 to 40 percent on cooling costs by replacing an AC unit, even if it is just 10 years old.
Let our team at Broadley’s replace your central air conditioner with a unit that suits your cooling needs and budget. If you are looking for a top-of-the-line system with a variable-speed compressor and a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio2 (SEER2), look no further than Bryant’s 186CNV central air conditioner. At 24 SEER2, the 186CNV stands out.
Even Bryant’s lower-cost models deliver reliable cooling and efficient operation with features such as two-stage compressors and improved humidifying capability.
You will recoup the cost of installing a high-efficiency central air conditioner over the long run because your new unit will consume less energy. A federal tax credit for qualifying high-efficiency HVAC equipment is available through 2032 and can take some of the financial sting out of upgrading. The credit for a high-efficiency AC system is 30 percent up to $600.
Start Saving Today!
You can save on cooling costs in your Ocean City, NJ, home this summer by taking a few proactive steps. Ask us at Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning how we can help with AC maintenance, upgrades, and other money-saving strategies. Call us at 609-227-0133 or request service online.