Summer Energy Savings: Tommy’s Guide To Cool Comfort

Now that the heat is on, we hope you’re staying cool. This summer, Tommy’s Tips focuses on several smart ways to use less energy and save more money around your home.

• Keep your thermostat setting as high as you can this summer. Consider raising it to 78°F or higher when you’re home and even higher at night and when you’re away for extended periods. This simple change can significantly reduce your cooling costs. 

• Use ceiling fans along with your air conditioner to feel cooler. Ceiling fans create a wind chill effect that makes you feel cooler by evaporating sweat and circulating air. By using a ceiling fan, you can raise your thermostat setting a few degrees and still feel comfortable, reducing the workload on your AC and lowering your energy consumption.

• Keep out the heat by closing blinds and window coverings. Closing blinds, shades and drapes can help reduce heat gain in a room by blocking sunlight and reflecting heat away from the window. This can help lower indoor temperatures and reduce reliance on air conditioning. 

• Change your air filters regularly. Regularly changing your air filters is important for maintaining good indoor air quality and ensuring your HVAC system runs efficiently. Generally, you should replace disposable filters every 1-3 months, but this can vary based on factors like the filter type, your home's environment, the age of your HVAC system and how frequently you run it.

• Remove rugs and furniture from blocking cooling vents. Blocking vents hinders the flow of conditioned air, forcing your HVAC system to work harder, leading to higher energy consumption and potentially higher utility bills. In addition, obstructed vents can cause uneven cooling, resulting in some rooms being too warm and others too cool.

• Call us for any AC performance concerns. Even when you try to save energy and money through conservation measures like those listed above, your air conditioner may not be operating at its best. It may be sending out certain signals to let you know it needs an upgrade.

Here are 7 warning signs that it may be time for air conditioner replacement:

1. Your central air conditioner is 10 to 15 years old
   The average lifespan of a central air conditioning unit is 10 to 15 years. The lifespan will vary depending on how often you run the unit, how well you have maintained it over the years, and the quality of the unit to begin with, among other factors. 

2. You’ve got a file folder filled with AC repair bills
   Or maybe it’s a big fat envelope. The point is, one of the biggest warning signs of a failing air conditioner is the need for numerous repairs. If AC repair costs are eating up your budget, it may be time for a new unit. 

3. You wonder if your air conditioner is running at all
   If your current AC unit is not cooling your home as well as it used to, an upgrade may be in order. Assuming you’re changing your filters as you should and scheduling your annual AC tune-up, a gradual decrease in efficiency comes with age. 

4. Your energy bills are increasing
   If your energy bills are higher than last year’s with no big difference in temperature and no huge rate hike from the power company, a new central AC may be in your future.

5. Your central air conditioner shakes, rattles and rolls
   Clicking, clanking and grinding are not normal air conditioning noises. They’re a sure sign that your unit needs to be replaced.

6. You smell a musty or burning odor
   A musty smell coming from your air vents can indicate mold growth. If your AC unit isn’t dehumidifying as it should, this can lead to mold growth in the air ducts – a serious issue that needs to be addressed right away. If you smell a burning odor coming from the air vents when your central air conditioner is running, turn off the system. It can mean the blower motor is overheating, or it can also indicate an electrical issue.

7. The coils are frozen
   A frozen evaporator coil can indicate a dirty coil, blocked air ducts, or a refrigerant leak, which is more common in older units.
    

If you’re noticing any of the above signs this summer, it may be time to contact Spring Brook Ice & Fuel now. We offer no-obligation professional in-home cooling assessments – in addition to a wide range of central AC maintenance, repair and installation services – to ensure your cool comfort all summer long.