Utility bills rise during the summer when the air conditioner comes to life: this is something you cannot avoid. But you can avoid a large rise in utility bills with a few basic steps to prevent the air conditioner from draining excess electricity. Too many homeowners fall into simple traps when it comes to AC care and operation that lead to them paying too much each summer to cool their homes.
At Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing, we have years of experience with AC operation and the ways it can waste money. We’d like to share a few tips that will help you avoid higher bills this summer with your air conditioning in Bethesda, MD. Call us for additional help, such as AC maintenance and any necessary repairs.
3 money-saving air conditioning tips for this summer
- Schedule your annual tune-up and inspection: A yearly maintenance visit for your AC from an experienced technician is crucial for keeping the system from wasting energy. A spring maintenance session will clean the unit, make adjustments, reduce wear and tear, and spot any repair needs to take care of before summer arrives. Studies have shown that an air conditioner with regular maintenance will retain 95% of its efficiency throughout its service life, while one without maintenance will lose 5% of its efficiency each year.
- Steady the thermostat’s setting at a higher, comfortable temperature: Lowering the thermostat to 50°F (often the lowest setting) rarely does you or the AC any good. This low setting will not make the air conditioner cool down your home faster, but instead keep it running longer until it reaches 50°F. As this is an uncomfortable temperature, no matter how hot it is outside, it makes for an unnecessary waste of energy. Keep the thermostat around 72°F—a comfortable temperature for most people—and you can save between 24% and 36% from your bills compared to setting it at 50°F.
- Regularly change the air filter: People often neglect to change the air filter for a clean one every month during the summer, which is a leading cause for spikes in cooling bills. The air filter will become clogged after one month and begin to restrict air flow into the AC, forcing it to strain and draw additional electricity. Make sure you keep up with monthly air filter changes so your air conditioner will “breathe” easy.
Start off the summer right with your spring maintenance session. This will not only make sure that your system operates at maximum efficiency; it will also prevent repair issues and breakdowns, granting you peace of mind along with excellent cooling and savings.
Call Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing to sign up for our maintenance plan to take care of your air conditioning in Bethesda, MD. The Tuckers USA Club also grants you a 20% discount on all repairs and a 5-year parts and labor guarantee above the manufacturer’s warranty. There are many other benefits included: call us today to find out more.