Keeping Your AC Bills Down When the Temperature is High

Can you feel that? It’s the return of glorious sunshine after another long Minnesota winter, and we’re already starting to kick on the AC. Unfortunately, as the mercury starts to climb, so does our monthly energy bills.

Finding ways to reduce your household air conditioning costs can also have a number of bonus benefits. If your AC system is performing well, that means your home requires a lower energy footprint, which is much better for the environment. Additionally, reducing your energy use can actually help to prolong the lifespan of your air conditioner because your system won’t have to work so hard all the time.

At General Heating & Air Conditioning in Shakopee, we specialize in providing quality air conditioning services at an affordable price throughout the Twin Cities metro region. In this post, we’ll share some simple tips to help you keep your air conditioning bills low this year while the temperature outside is high.

1.   Use Shade Strategically.

One of your home’s first lines of defense against summer heat can be found all around us in nature. Planting trees strategically to create shade during midday heat can help to reduce your family’s carbon footprint and your energy costs during hot summer months. They also make your yard more comfortable to relax and play in.

Choose shade trees that grow well in Minnesota and keep the lower branches pruned to create a canopy over driveways, footpaths, patios, and air conditioning units. Planting trees on the northwest and west sides of your home can help to shield your windows from the midday sun when it’s hottest and brightest. Be sure to plan for root and branch growth near your home and power lines so you don’t have to worry about future damage to your home.

2.   Cover Your Windows.

If your home gets a high amount of hot midday sun and you don’t have enough shade from foliage, that solar heat can cause your home’s internal temperature to climb dramatically. If the problem is significant, blackout curtains can be useful. But if you’re reluctant to close off your view, hire a professional residential window tint installation specialist.

Window tint is available that can reduce the transfer of solar radiation without obstructing your view, which means you’ll enjoy a reduction in solar glare and a cooler temperature inside your home. Your furnishings will also be less likely to bleach out from UV radiation.

3.   Check Your Air Filters

One of the biggest reasons for poor air conditioner performance is overlooking the air filter. Depending on your family size, number of pets, home location, and lifestyle, your air filters may need to be changed more or less frequently. When you’re using your air conditioner daily during the hottest summer months, your air filter will need to be changed more frequently.

Letting your air filter go too long causes your system to have to work much harder, putting more strain on your air conditioner than it’s built for and causing your energy costs to climb. It will also wear out your system much sooner. Be sure to check out your air filter every week or two to see if it’s due for a change and make sure you’re using the right air filter for your equipment.

4.   Have Your Heating and Cooling System Serviced.

You’d be surprised at how much you may be able to improve your system’s performance by simply bringing in a professional air conditioner repair technician and having it serviced. If your system is working too hard, this can cause it to wear down faster and create additional problems. Having your air conditioner serviced by a licensed HVAC technician can help to prolong its lifespan and reduce your monthly energy costs in the process.

5.   Invest in a High-Performance Home Air Conditioning Equipment.

Aging air conditioners often have to work harder to keep a home comfortable. If your home isn’t staying cool consistently on hotter days, it might be time to upgrade your home air conditioning equipment.

A good sign that your air conditioner needs to be updated is that it’s more than a decade old. An experienced air conditioning installer can help you assess your current air conditioner and determine if it can be repaired or it’s time to replace your outdated air conditioner with a new one.

6.   Install a Smart Thermostat.

Our air conditioning installers at General Heating and Air Conditioning in Shakopee are committed to providing innovative solutions for Twin Cities homeowners. Today’s homeowners have more control over their HVAC systems than ever before thanks to smart thermostats.

A smart thermostat allows you to adjust your home’s temperature from anywhere using your phone. With the touch of a button, turn the temperature up when you leave for the day and then cool things down again as you’re about to head home for the night.

Contact Our Twin Cities Heating and Air Conditioning Specialists

If you’ve already turned on your air conditioner for the year and you’re worried it’s not living up to its potential, there’s a good chance your energy bill will be unexpectedly high as well. Act now to get your air conditioner on track so your home will be more comfortable all summer long without the added misery of paying too much to keep things cool.

At General Heating and Air Conditioning in Shakopee, we’re committed to offering quality products at a fair price installed the right way. Contact us on the web or call us at 952-445-2820 to connect with a home air conditioning specialist about reducing your energy costs this summer.