It’s not always easy to keep your home comfortable during a hot Texas summer without increasing your energy bills. While some cooling costs are unavoidable, you can reduce waste by improving AC performance, airflow, ductwork, and your thermostat habits. You also want to stay on top of regular maintenance with BVS Home Experts in Katy, TX. Our team can help you lower your cooling costs without sacrificing comfort with repairs, upgrades, and tips.
Set Your Thermostat With Efficiency in Mind
It’s tempting to lower your thermostat during summer, but lowering it too much causes the AC to run longer. The longer you run your AC, the more you waste energy and increase your utility bills. It’s best to keep your thermostat settings consistent to prevent your unit from working too hard and breaking down. The last thing you want is to pay for repairs on top of energy costs. Raise the temperature slightly when the house is empty, and lower it when everyone is due to arrive home. Consider installing a programmable or smart thermostat to adjust the temperature at certain times.
Replace Dirty Air Filters Regularly
It’s not uncommon for air filters to become clogged with daily use, but leaving the filters untouched restricts airflow. This causes the AC system to work harder to push cool air into your home. It’s recommended to check the filters monthly, but you may need to do so more often during the summer, replacing them if necessary. You’re running your system longer on these hot days, and this allows dust to build up quickly. You can improve airflow and lower costs by ensuring the filters remain clean and free of debris.
Schedule AC Maintenance Before Problems Get Expensive
You also want to schedule AC maintenance with the team here at BVS Home Experts before minor problems become expensive. During maintenance, our team inspects and cleans your unit to keep it running smoothly. We’ll also pay attention to malfunctioning parts, strange sounds, frozen coils, refrigerant leaks, and other signs of trouble. Our goal is to catch and repair small issues before they escalate to efficiency problems or costly breakdowns. We recommend scheduling your seasonal maintenance in spring. This way, we have time to identify and address issues before summer. However, you can also schedule maintenance as soon as you notice a problem with your unit.
Seal Leaky Air Ducts That Waste Cooled Air
Duct leaks allow cool air to escape into walls, the attic, or other unconditioned spaces before it reaches the room. You’re now dealing with uneven cooling throughout your home. This is when some rooms are cool and others are warm. Air leaks also cause the AC to run longer as it tries to regulate indoor temperatures. These problems result in wasted cool air, an uncomfortable home, and higher utility bills. Luckily, sealing these leaks prevents energy waste, increases home comfort, and saves you money and stress. Our company provides air duct sealing, cleaning, and repair to keep your cooling system running efficiently.
Use Curtains, Blinds, and Shade to Reduce Heat Gain
Direct sunlight flowing through the windows can raise indoor temperatures. This is especially true in west-facing rooms during the afternoon. Close the blinds during the hottest part of the day to reduce heat gain. You can also block the sun with blackout curtains, especially if you seal the edges with tape or Velcro. Other options include thermal-insulated curtains and cellular or solar shades. You can also invest in solar mesh screens to place on the outside of your windows. They block out the sun while still allowing you to see outside.
Creating shaded areas can also block the UV rays, lower your energy bills, and protect your furniture from fading. One idea is to place tall indoor houseplants around your house. You can also have retractable awnings installed over your west-facing windows.
Keep Outdoor AC Equipment Clear
Your outdoor unit is the key to your AC system, so you need to stay on top of maintenance. You should be providing ample space around the equipment to release heat efficiently. Remove leaves and debris from the area to prevent restricted airflow around the condenser. You also want to trim the grass, bushes, and tree branches as needed. Furthermore, you want to move patio furniture, toys, tools, and other outdoor equipment away from the area. Leave at least 2 feet of clearance around all sides and 5 feet of clearance above the unit.
Do Not Ignore an Aging or Inefficient AC System
You should never ignore an aging or inefficient AC system, even if you think an inspection isn’t necessary. An older system may cost more to operate even with good thermostat habits and regular maintenance. While a replacement can extend your system’s lifespan, it’s not always the first answer. Sometimes, a repair is enough to prolong the life of your unit. It’s best to compare comfort issues, AC repair costs, and long-term efficiency, especially if your utility bills keep increasing. Our technicians can work with you to help you choose the right solution for your AC system.
Get Help Keeping Your Home Cool for Less
BVS Home Experts has been providing AC services throughout Katy and other West Houston communities since 1981. Our technicians have undergone training in AC repair, replacement, installation, maintenance, coil cleaning, and compressor replacement. We also provide emergency AC repair for issues that can’t wait for an appointment. Other cooling services include refrigerant leak repair, ductless mini-splits, and thermostat repair and installation. We’re proud to have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. You can also check out our positive reviews on Google, Facebook, and Yelp.
When you need help keeping your home cool for less, contact BVS Home Experts in Katy today.
