How to Keep Your Energy Bills Low During DFW’s Hot Summer
The importance of an effective cooling system in Arlington and the greater Dallas–Fort Worth area can’t be overstated.
The steepest increase in the DFW metro area’s population occurred between 1950 and 1960 (from 614,799 to 1,083,601), the decade when residential air conditioning became a relatively affordable and widely adopted temperature control solution. DFW would be a lot smaller were it not for effective home cooling solutions that make it tolerable to live here during the summer.
The downside of effective cooling is the cost associated with it. Running your air conditioner or heat pump virtually nonstop will likely represent the majority of your annual electricity expenditure. Fortunately, there are solutions to help you reduce that utility bill without resorting to raising the temperature on your thermostat.
Smarter Cooling Habits That Help Your HVAC Work More Efficiently
Most people adjust their thermostat as needed based on how it feels inside. They’re not strategically scheduling their cooling based on conditions outdoors.
Some homeowners might experience some incremental savings by leveraging pre-cooling. This involves setting the thermostat lower in the early morning when outdoor temperatures are significantly lower. Your system doesn’t have to work nearly as hard to reach and maintain that low temperature when the sun isn’t beating on your house. With decent insulation, your home will be able to coast off that nighttime/early morning boost and your system won’t have to run quite as hard for at least some of the daytime.
Ceiling fans are another obvious efficiency-enhancing tool found in every DFW home. Fans create a wind chill effect that helps you feel cooler, even if the actual air temperature is higher. In other words, it’ll feel like 78 degrees when you’re sitting under a ceiling fan in a room that’s 82 degrees.
Zoning your day can also make a surprisingly impactful difference in efficiency. Try to adjust your schedule around outside temperatures. In other words, try to minimize your use of the oven, dishwasher or clothes dryer during the hottest parts of the afternoon. Run these appliances early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures start to drop so your AC isn’t trying to counteract both the unrelenting sun and your indoor heat-generating activities.
Common Mistakes That Make Your Energy Bills Worse
One of the most common mistakes is cranking the thermostat way down when you come home to a hot house after work. It’s a myth that setting the thermostat extremely low will cool your home faster. Air conditioners cool at a consistent rate, and setting the temperature lower than needed only forces your system to run longer.
Another pitfall is closing vents in unused rooms to "redirect" airflow. While professionally installed zoning systems manage airflow with designed pressure controls, manually closing vents in a standard HVAC setup disrupts airflow balance and strains your system. Your system is designed for balanced airflow, and disrupting that balance makes it work harder.
Neglecting air filter changes can also have a major impact on air conditioner and heat pump efficiency. Dirty filters block airflow, causing your system to work overtime to push air through clogged material. While households with air quality concerns, or pets that shed a lot, may want to replace their filter once a month, most homes can maintain decent efficiency by replacing their filters at least once every three months.
Low-Cost Home Efficiency Enhancements
Sealing Leaks
Sealing air leaks around doors and windows is one of the most affordable ways to make a noticeable difference in your home's comfort and energy efficiency.
Even small gaps let cool air escape and allow hot, humid air to seep in, forcing your AC to work harder. Using weatherstripping, caulk or door sweeps to close these gaps can immediately reduce strain on your HVAC system and help maintain a more stable indoor temperature.
It doesn’t require new and expensive equipment, just diagnostic tools and effective sealing materials and methods. Tom’s Mechanical has advanced tools to detect leaks and the knowhow to seal your home.
Smart Thermostats
Upgrading to a smart thermostat offers an easy, cost-effective way to gain better control over your home's cooling patterns. Smart thermostats let you program temperature settings based on your daily routines and customize schedules. Many models can even learn your habits over time and make adjustments to maximize savings without sacrificing comfort.
Medium-Cost Efficiency Enhancements
Attic Insulation
Not all attic insulation solutions are made equal. Modern advancements in material and application methods have significantly upped the industry's game, and the efficiency benefits may make insulation upgrades worth considering. Call the OptiHome specialists at Tom’s Mechanical for analysis of your current attic insulation. We can recommend options to significantly enhance your home’s efficiency.
Solar Attic Ventilation
Systems like the Attic Breeze solar fans used by Tom's Mechanical can dramatically lower attic temperatures, making it easier for your home to stay cool. Solar-powered fans also cost nothing to operate after installation, offering long-term savings.
Providing AC Efficiency Analysis and Improvements in Arlington and Throughout DFW
A professional home performance evaluation, like our OptiHome service, can uncover hidden inefficiencies you might not spot yourself.
Call Tom’s Mechanical today at 817-277-4493 to schedule an efficiency evaluation, air conditioner maintenance or an HVAC replacement estimate.
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