Summer Energy Savings: Pro Tips on How to Cut Costs

Whoa! Is that the right number on your latest electrical bill? Does it seem higher than usual? Are you looking to cut down on your energy costs even further? We have a reputation for excessive heat in the Phoenix Metropolitan area, and this summer has been no exception. As a leading HVAC service provider in the Phoenix-Mesa area, it’s our job to inform our local community about such matters, and we’re happy to do it. (We also offer a wide range of air conditioning services!)

lower-energy-bills-graph1. Take Care of Your AC with Regular Maintenance

Sure, we have a vested interest in saying so, but just as you wouldn’t want to drive your car for tens of thousands of miles without an oil change, nor should you run your AC for years without regular maintenance. Preventive cleaning, tune-ups and inspection is simply the best way to ensure that your system is optimized in terms of its energy consumption. Studies show that AC equipment that does not receive a regular tune-up can lose as much as 5% of its original efficiency rating every year!

2. Keep the Sunlight Out

This is a no-brainer, but it’s worth bearing in mind that heat moves in various ways. In order to keep your home cool while keeping costs to a bare minimum, you’ll need to have a good set of blinds and/or curtains around the house. The absolute best way to keep the sun out is installing solar shade screens on all the glass windows and doors around your home. In fact, the utility company SRP (Salt River Project) states this efficiency improvement alone can reduce your air conditioning costs by as much as 25% in the summer time – not too shabby! You may even qualify for utility rebates of up to $0.80 per square foot of shade screens when installed by a qualified company like Magic Touch Mechanical.

3. Adjust the Thermostat Properly

Turning down the dial on your thermostat won’t actually make your cool air come any faster. It doesn’t work like that. Instead, adopt a more conservative approach to cooling so that you can reduce unnecessary energy consumption. Adjusting the set temperature even just a few degrees higher can lead to substantial savings in the long term. You mat even want to consider upgrading to a “learning” thermostat with Wi-Fi connectivity if you really want to tame those power bills.

4. Have Your Ducts Tested and Sealed

Your AC is only as efficient as your ducts are sealed. Leaky and loosely connected ductwork will lead to poor airflow and a lot of wasted cool air in spaces that you hardly use, such as the attic. Duct testing and duct sealing are the best ways to solve this issue. Both APS and SRP offer rebates of up to $400 per duct system sealed, homes with multiple duct systems can qualify for as much as $2000 in rebates!

5. Get a Home Energy Audit

If you want to know other ways to lower those electric bills, improve your family’s comfort and make sure your home is safe and healthy, we recommend booking a whole home energy audit. Both SRP and APS sponsor a program known as Home Performance With Energy Star which means customers of these utilities only pay $99.00 for this service which regularly starts at $299. When you call Magic Touch to conduct an audit you get a comprehensive report that details where your energy waste is coming from and how to eliminate it!

Rely on our air conditioning and home performance specialists for all of your needs in Mesa. Call Magic Touch Mechanical today to experience our award-winning customer service first-hand. We look forward to exceeding your expectations!

 

SUMMER ENERGY SAVINGS: PRO TIPS ON HOW TO CUT COSTS