How to Reduce Cooling Costs Without Sacrificing Comfort

Keeping your home cool in the summer does not have to mean skyrocketing energy bills. With innovative technology, routine maintenance, and a few household adjustments, you can reduce cooling costs and keep every room comfortable. Superior Comfort Heating and Cooling in Flat Rock, MI, offers various services and tips to help our customers reduce their cooling costs without sacrificing comfort. Here is a breakdown of strategies to help you save this summer.

Regular HVAC Maintenance

Skipping HVAC maintenance may seem like a good way to save money, but it often leads to higher bills and system breakdowns. A well-maintained system runs more efficiently, lasts longer, and uses less energy. Annual inspections allow us to check for minor issues like loose electrical connections, refrigerant issues, dirty coils, and aging parts. These issues can reduce performance.

Maintenance also involves identifying inefficiencies before they become significant problems. Worn-out blowers or clogged evaporator coils can reduce airflow and force your system to work harder. Over time, the additional strain can shorten your system’s lifespan. We help you keep your components clean and running smoothly to reduce wear and tear and lower utility bills.

Professional Duct Cleaning

Dirty ductwork clogs airways with dust, pollen, and debris. That buildup affects indoor air quality and makes the system work harder to push air throughout your home. Clean ducts improve airflow, which reduces energy usage and helps your home cool down faster. Professional duct cleaning is recommended every three to five years to remove contaminants that make your system work harder or affect indoor air quality.

Zoned Control Systems

Not all rooms in your home need the same cooling level. A zone control system allows you to adjust the temperatures for different areas independently. Instead of cooling the entire house, including areas not in use, you can control spaces separately and only cool the areas in use.

Zoning is particularly beneficial in multi-level homes or those with guest spaces. Zone control systems prevent overcooling and allow for personalization, reducing the length of time your system runs. Less runtime means lower utility costs.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats do more than let you control temperatures remotely. Some advanced models even learn your habits over time. They optimize cooling based on your real-time needs. They can adjust the temperature when you leave the house and modify settings throughout the day to improve efficiency levels.

Some models even offer room sensors that detect occupancy and temperature variations, allowing for targeted control. Most systems also provide detailed energy reports so you can adjust your habits and discover new ways to save. We can help you understand the advantages of these thermostats and help you choose the right one.

Dehumidifiers Make Homes More Comfortable

Humidity makes the air inside your home feel warmer. Whole-home dehumidifiers remove excess moisture, making your home feel cooler, even at higher temperatures. They can help you keep the relative humidity inside your home in the ideal range of 30% to 50%, as recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Dehumidifiers can also help prevent mold, mildew, and musty odors in humid continental climates like Flat Rock. Additionally, reducing humidity can often help you decrease reliance on your air conditioner, directly lowering energy costs.

Optimized Ventilation for Better Airflow

Good ventilation is essential for your comfort. Without proper ventilation, warm air can become trapped in rooms, forcing your air conditioner to work harder than necessary. You especially need good ventilation in attics and crawlspaces to help reduce thermal buildup.

Exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms can also help by pulling out warm, moist air. Soffit and ridge vents in your attic help release hot attic air, lowering the temperature. These ventilation additions prevent hot attic air from seeping into your living spaces. With balanced airflow, your cooling system will function better with less work, helping you cut energy waste.

Ceiling Fans Increase Comfort for Less

Although ceiling fans do not cool air, they make it feel cooler by circulating air across the skin. This air circulation speeds up evaporation and creates a cooling effect. With the aid of ceiling fans, you can raise your thermostat by a few degrees without feeling uncomfortable.

Fans use less electricity than central air conditioners and work well with your system. To maximize savings, shut your fans off when no one is in the room. Fans cool people, not spaces.

What You Can Do to Stay Cool and Reduce Costs

Not all savings initiatives require professional intervention or high-tech upgrades. A few simple tasks can keep your AC working at its peak efficiency.

Timely Filter Changes

Dirty filters block airflow and force your system to work harder. Depending on usage, pets, and allergies, you should change your filters every one to three months. Many homeowners inspect their air filters once a month to ensure they know when it is time for a fresh one.

Keep Vents Clear

Furniture, curtains, and clutter can block vents. Check to ensure your registers stay open and unobstructed so cool air flows evenly throughout each room.

Close Blinds During Peak Sun

Solar heat gain can raise indoor temperatures significantly. Keeping your blinds closed during peak sun hours can help. You can also install blackout curtains that help block the sun’s UV rays. It is especially beneficial to install them on south and west-facing windows.

Seal Gaps and Leaks

Check for air leaks around windows, doors, and ducts. Sealing any openings can keep cool air in and hot air out. Reducing heat transfer through cracks can reduce the workload on your air conditioner.

Consider an Air Conditioner Upgrade

If your cooling system is more than 15 years old, it may be time to consider an upgrade. New systems use advanced compressors and fans, which help them consume less energy and cool homes more effectively.

According to the EPA, upgrading can save up to 40% on annual cooling costs. Our technicians can help you select the most energy-efficient cooling system for your home.

Fine-Tune Your Thermostat Strategy

Making minor adjustments to how and when you cool your home can make a noticeable difference and even offer savings. For instance, raising the thermostat 7 to 10 degrees when you are away from home can help you avoid wasted energy.

Program your thermostat a few degrees higher while you are sleeping. On lower-temperature summer nights, use fans instead of cranking up the AC.

Finally, it’s essential to set your thermostat and stick with it. Frequent adjustments can force your AC to work harder and use more energy. Additionally, it causes additional wear and tear that may result in the need for more frequent repairs or premature replacement.

Contact Your Local HVAC Professionals

At Superior Comfort Heating and Cooling, we have been serving the residents of Flat Rock, MI, since 2007. We install, maintain, and repair cooling systems. You can also count on us to install thermostat upgrades or humidity control systems. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for AC maintenance with one of our experienced technicians.