5 Easy Steps to Lower Your AC Costs This Summer
We haven’t hit summer quite yet in North Texas, but we are firing up our air conditioners already. As the temps climb, so will your energy bills. Keep yourself cool and your budget under control this summer with these 5 ways to lower your AC costs. You’ll thank yourself while you’re sipping cool lemonade in July and using money saved from your energy bill to get out and enjoy the warm season.
- Utilize Ceiling Fans or Circulating Fans – You may not believe it at first, but providing a little wind and air movement can make you feel cooler by six or seven degrees. A fan does not actually lower temperature, but it makes it easier to bear the heat. Keep your thermostat a few degrees warmer than would normally be comfortable, and balance it out with a ceiling fan or circulating fan. Just make sure you turn off the fan when you leave the room to keep saving energy.
- Strategize Your AC Usage – Being smart about running your AC goes a long way towards saving money. When you’re asleep or out of your home, set your AC only as high (around 78 degrees) as you could comfortably stand when you reenter the room (or as is safe for pets left in the home). Doing this one simple step could decrease your summer energy bills by 10-18%. The key is knowing that the smaller the difference between outdoor and indoor temperatures during the summer months, the less you’ll spend.
- Take Care of Your AC – You can use an energy-efficient system and install a programmable thermostat. However, if you don’t maintain your unit, your energy bill will still be higher than you’d like. Dirty air filters and cluttered evaporators and condensers make your system work overtime to cool your home, running your utility costs sky-high. Be proactive and perform preventative maintenance before the warm months with this springtime HVAC checklist to ensure a smoothly efficient AC.
- Avoid Excess Heat – This tip sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s amazing what mundane household activities may lead to indoor heat buildup. When the outdoor temperature surpasses your home’s interior temperature, avoid activities that emit heat. These activities include cooking on the stove or using the oven, running the dishwasher, or operating a clothes dryer. For alternatives, try using the microwave or a crockpot or grill outside. Wash dishes by hand and let clothes air dry on a clothesline. Also, make sure you use your bathroom exhaust fan if you bathe during the day.
- Pull the Curtains – Solar heat penetration adds to your energy bill if you don’t pull your curtain, blinds, and shades during the day. If you use reflective blinds, you might be able to reduce heat gain by up to 45%. You can also use light-colored window coverings, which will help deflect the sun’s rays. Other tips include hanging shades close to windowpanes, which helps block the heat from radiating into your rooms.
Following these easy, no-cost tips can help you save dramatically on your energy bill this summer. For more ways to beat the heat without draining your checkbook, get in touch with Gorman Mechanical today.
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Residential Customer Testimonials
Gorman Mechanical is interested in complete customer satisfaction and delivers on promises made. I have been completely satisfied with their integrity, honesty, customer loyalty, thoroughness and continued to follow up. I feel fortunate to have located their outstanding company among the many in the industry.
- Mark
Gorman Mechanical installed a brand new cooling and heating system in my home. The replacement unit was larger and more energy-efficient. Our house has never been cooler and our energy bill even went down…. I highly recommend them and their services.
- Thomas
I had an issue with my A/C unit not cooling properly. The technician, Stacy, arrived during the time frame I was given, and I received a phone call about 30 minutes prior to his arrival, letting me know he was on his way. He was very professional and conscientious in figuring out and explaining the issue to me. He work was complete in a little over an hour and my house is cool once again! I will definitely refer Gorman Mechanical to others.
- S.M.
A Gorman technician came over to set us up with a new A/C unit and he did a phenomenal job. He was very up front with any cost and got our install scheduled in one day. He did a great job at getting me the unit needed without running the price through the roof.
- Allen
I met with Gorman Mechanical’s Sales Manager. When he came out I had a bad taste in my mouth due to some misrepresentations made by another company that happened to be A rated on Angie’s List. Because of this I’m certain I was on the defensive and asked a million questions. He was very patient and took plenty of time answering all my questions. He was very knowledgeable and helped educate me on my options and the advantages/shortfalls of each. When I came to the actual bid, I felt it was very competitive compared to other bids I’d received. I felt so well informed and confident at that point I cancelled two other appointments I’d made for that day and signed up with Gorman Mechanical. He was able to promptly arrange a great deal on financing the bulk of the cost, leaving me to pay out of pocket for a couple last minute additions (extended warranty/Reme Halo). They did not want this until installation was complete. A couple days later they installed my new system and I’ve been very happy with it. Shortly after installation I had several other questions about maintenance and a small amount that was overcharged upon installation. He was very responsive answering my questions and arranging for a prompt refund check to be sent. Fortunately, it isn’t often that I need to spend so much money on an important purchase like this, but I felt very confident with my decision and going through the process with him and Gorman Mechanical made it painless. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Gorman Mechanical to friends and family.
- Rick
The repairman, Tim H., was prompt and courteous. I explained that he was a second opinion for our 21-year-old AC. The first company said that I would need 2 parts totaling $600 plus a coil that they would have to send a salesman out to quote me a price. Also first company was suggesting that I really needed whole new system. After inspection, Tim showed me how a part was wired the wrong way and he replaced a compactor and repaired a burnt wire. 2 lbs Freon were added. Total cost was retail: $217.75. I had a warranty so I paid less but what a difference in $600.00+ and $217.75! AC is working fine now. And we didn’t have to buy a new system. Thanks, Gorman Mechanical and Tim H.! The world needs more honest repairmen like you!
- Jeannie
