Five Ways to Cut Down on Air Conditioning Costs This Summer

benstaples1 • April 6, 2017
  1. Check your house

The best thing you can do is have a professional energy audit of your home – sometimes utility companies will even perform this service for free. If you cannot get an audit performed by a professional, you can do an amateur audit yourself. Go outside and check along windows and doors to see if there is cold air leaking out from inside. If you find leaks – seal them.

  1. Review thermostat placement

You want your thermostat to be in the main area of your home and out of the way of direct sunlight. If the sun is shining in on your thermostat, your AC is probably blowing more often than it needs to.

  1. Block the sun

Make sure to keep your blinds and curtains closed when the hot sun is shining through the window. If you don’t need any light, you can also put up room darkening curtains for extra blockage.

  1. Utilize fans

Ceiling fans in particular can help a room feel up to 10 degrees cooler without running an AC unit while using substantially less energy. Portable fans can also be used to circulate air and cool down people in their homes.

  1. Increase the set temperature

There is a false notion that it makes sense to leave the thermostat set to the temp you enjoy while home even when you’re away. People believe that the energy it takes to start up the AC and cool the house back down negates any savings created by keeping it cool throughout the day and night. The fact is that air conditioning units run with the most efficiency when on for longer durations. The easiest way to see energy savings is to use a programmable thermostat that increases the temperature when your home is not occupied and kicks it on right before you return home.

At Metzger’s Heating & Cooling in Kalamazoo, air conditioning is one of our many specialties.

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By benstaples1 May 13, 2022
Fall is a time that homeowners often look forward to because energy costs are low. It’s cool enough that air conditioning isn’t needed and warm enough to avoid turning on the heat. It’s also a great time to prepare heating systems for winter as well as making sure heating systems are run as efficiently as possible. In this post, we will look at five things you can do to prepare your heating system for the cold winter months and hopefully save yourself some money in the process. Inspect your filtersFilters that are covered with dirt and other debris cut down airflow in your heating system. When filters are properly maintained or changed when they get clogged it puts less stress on the heating system. This means that clean filters allow the heating system to work less hard which saved money on energy as well as putting less strain on internal components of the system. Effectively program your thermostatWhen homeowners switch from a standard thermostat to a programmable one that can lower temperatures when they’re not home or when they’re sleeping, they can expect to see up to 15% in savings. Upgrade your equipment If it’s been awhile since you have upgraded for system, ten years or more, consider upgrading to a newer model that is more efficient. Furnaces like Bryant Evolution gas furnace from Metzger’s Heating & Cooling have efficiency of 90%. Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan This is one that not many people know about or consider. In the winter you should make sure your ceiling fan is spinning clockwise at a low speed. Heat rises and this method pulls cool air to the top and pushes the warmer air near the ceiling down along the walls to the floor. This method has been proven to save up to 15% on winter heating bills. 
By benstaples1 May 13, 2022
Everyone knows that a lot of money can be saved by adjusting your thermostat when you’re going to be out of the house on a short vacation or trip. But what should you do if you’re going on an extended vacation or you have a secondary property that is vacant most of the time? In this post we will discuss what you should do that’s easier on your wallet and your property. A common mistake that homeowners make is thinking they can set the thermostat above 80 degrees in the summer and below 55 degrees in the winter. When a home gets really hot and humid during summer months, the high temperature and humidity can warp wood, strip wallpaper off the wall, and cause various other problems. In the cold winter months, too low of a temperature can mean freezing pipes and damage due to condensation.To ensure no damage is done to your home while still saving as much as you can on heating and cooling costs, you should upgrade to a smart thermostat. These thermostats can be controlled by your phone or computer wherever you are. You can check weather reports for your vacant home location and adjust accordingly. If humidity is low in the summer, you can set the thermostat a bit above what you normally would, for example.Temperature regulation is the most effective way to protect your home and your wallet, but there some additional things you can do, as well. In the summer, you can invest in light-blocking blinds or curtains. In the winter, you should drain your plumbing system by shutting off the water and letting residual water come through your faucets.At Metzger’s Heating & Cooling, we have installed and maintained many HVAC systems in the greater Kalamazoo area. We are bonded and insured and are very proud to be a local business in Southwest Michigan. If you have any questions about residential heating and cooling, give us a call today!
By ben April 11, 2019
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