5 Reasons Why Your Cooling Costs Are Through the Roof

Along with stifling heat and humidity, high energy bills are another thing most homeowners dread each summer. While it’s not unusual for your cooling costs to rise along with outdoor temperatures, if those cooling costs have been increasing year over year, it’s safe to say that there’s probably an issue. Frequently, this issue is an air conditioning system that’s losing efficiency.

When your AC loses efficiency, it costs you more money to operate it, and it suffers wear-and-tear faster than it should. Below, we explain some of the most common ways AC systems lose efficiency and what you can do about these problems.

HOW DO AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS LOSE EFFICIENCY?

1. Dirty Air Filters

Dirty air filters are one of the leading causes behind air conditioner and heater issues. When you don’t clean or replace your air filter frequently enough, it develops a blanket of dust that restricts airflow. If there’s not enough air passing through, the equipment will have numerous efficiency and performance problems. Your system might even fail if the lack of airflow becomes severe enough.

The first step you can take towards a more efficient AC system is to change the air filter at least once every 90 days (for most systems). If you own pets, smoke indoors, or have recently done activities that have generated a lot of dust, you’ll most likely need to change the air filter more frequently than that (ex. every 30 to 60 days).

2. Dust Buildup

Even though your system has an air filter, dust will still find its way into the components and decrease their efficiency. For instance, dust buildup on your air conditioner’s coils can end up being a costly problem. Your air conditioner has two coils: the evaporator coil in the indoor unit and the condenser coil in the outdoor unit. Dust buildup:

limits the evaporator coil’s ability to absorb heat from your home’s air
limits the condenser coil’s ability to release that heat outside

The easiest way to prevent dust buildup is to schedule preventative maintenance for your AC system yearly in the spring. During the appointment, your technician will clean and tighten up your system and inspect it for any parts that might be at risk of failing.

3. Leaky Ductwork

Your AC system may be operating just fine, but if the cold air “delivery system” (aka. the ductwork) is full of leaks, it will create a lot of energy loss. Leaks can form in your air ducts’ joints over time if the connections aren’t correctly sealed. Other typical areas for leaks are where the ducts connect to the AC equipment and the air registers in your walls. Rodents can also chew through flexible metal ductwork with their sturdy incisors.

Two clues that you have leaky ductwork are high energy bills and weak airflow coming out of your vents. If this matches your situation, contact an HVAC technician to inspect your ductwork for energy losses. If they discover leaks, they can seal your air ducts with professional equipment.

4. Closed or Blocked Air Vents

Even though this may sound like a no-brainer, check your home to make sure that all of your vents are exposed and in the open position. We’ve found that in some homes, forgotten air vents have been blocked by rugs and furniture.

Also, make sure you never close your air vents at the register. Many people will do this to redirect air to another area of their home. However, without a zoning system, your air conditioner will keep trying to blow cold air to that same room regardless. This can create an air pressure imbalance in your system, forcing open weak points in your ductwork and making leaks.

5. An Aging System

On average, air conditioners last about 15 to 20 years, although they can last longer with routine maintenance. If your air conditioner is well past the 12-year mark, it’s performance may be declining due to old age. According to the Department of Energy, if your AC is just 10 years old, you can save 20 to 40 percent of your cooling costs by replacing it with a newer, more energy-efficient model.

OTHER SOURCES OF ENERGY LOSS IN HOMES

Does it take a long time to cool your home? It might not be your air conditioning system that’s the problem. Your home might be gaining heat and losing conditioned air due to issues like air leaks, inadequate insulation, or even uncovered, sun-facing windows. You might even have an incorrectly calibrated thermostat on your hands. To discover where you’re losing the most energy in your home, the Department of Energy recommends professional home energy audits.

Whether your Gainesville home needs AC maintenance, a repair, or a thorough energy audit, our team at Bounds Heating & Air has the training and expertise to provide you with quality service. Contact us today at (352) 472-2761 or use our online form.

4 Interesting Facts About Air Conditioning Systems

The days keep getting hotter, and it can be tempting to just stay indoors where your air conditioner can keep you cool all day. If you’re able to do this, more power to you, but it’s important to keep an eye on your energy bills if you do so. In the meantime, check out these interesting facts about air conditioners.

Bounds Heating & Air, a local contractor specializing in HVAC maintenance and repair, lists four items to add to your knowledge of air conditioning systems.

A Luxury Item

Air conditioners were considered luxury items when they were first introduced. It was only in the 1960s that they became widely used in residential homes.

Average Life Span

An air conditioner can be expected to last 16 years on average. This could be a good benchmark for you to determine if an HVAC repair would still be worth it. If your air conditioner has already hit it’s 10- to 15-year mark, you might want to start looking for a new one instead of spending money on repairs.

The Origin of School Summer Vacations

School summer vacations are often thought to have been started to allow time for children to help out during planting and harvesting time. While this may have influenced the school calendar, the main factor that led to the creation of summer vacation was the heat. Back then, school buildings had no air conditioning, and it was believed that the heat made it difficult for students to focus on their classes. However, even with the mainstream use of air conditioning, summer vacations continued.

Energy Efficiency

The energy efficiency of an air conditioner is typically measured in SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the SEER, the greater a unit’s efficiency.

Bounds Heating & Air has over 20 years of expertise in heating and air conditioning repair. Call us at (352) 472-2761 or fill out our contact form to request a free quote. We offer our services to homeowners in Gainesville, Newberry, and surrounding areas.

HVAC Maintenance: 4 Things to Do This August

Your heating and cooling system work hard all year round to ensure a comfortable living space in your home. That’s why it’s important to carry out regular maintenance and ensure it’s operating smoothly. In this article, Bounds Heating & Air, a trusted contractor with expertise in HVAC services, share a few things you might want to add to your August HVAC maintenance to-do list.

Check the Air Filters

Cooling systems are used heavily during the summer months, which makes August a great time to check the filters and ensure they’re not full of contaminants. You may also want to have a replacement ready to go in case the existing filter is already worn out or needs to be changed.

Inspect All Registers and Grilles

Make sure the vents haven’t been blocked or closed, as this can restrict the airflow through your HVAC system, potentially leading to performance issues and system overheating. If you want to avoid HVAC repair expenses, make sure the vent louvers are open.

However, if you want to save energy by turning the cooling off in an unused area, feel free to do so. Just make sure you’re not closing more than 20% of the vents in your home. If there are multiple areas that aren’t being used, you should consider setting up a zoning system instead. This would allow you to reduce energy waste and better optimize your HVAC system.

Inspect the Drip Pan and Drain Lines

Ensure these components aren’t clogged with mold or algae growth. Otherwise, the condensation from the cooling process won’t be able to exit your home, which can cause your cooling system to act up or result in water damage.

Inspect Your Exterior Cooling Equipment

Your exterior cooling equipment is vulnerable to dirt and debris, so cleaning the outdoor unit is very important. This can easily be done by brushing away grass clippings and other debris, as well as trimming back any vegetation growing near the unit.

Bounds Heating & Air is a family-owned and operated business with over 20 years of experience in air conditioning repair, heating repair, and home energy auditing. Call us at (352) 472-2761 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate. We serve homeowners in Gainesville and surrounding areas.

The Effects of Humidity and Tips on Dealing With Them

During the summer season, most people are more concerned with the heat than just about anything else. That’s because there are those who don’t understand how high humidity levels can affect comfort and health, especially at home.

In this blog post. your HVAC repair experts at Bounds Heating & Air discuss the effects of high humidity and how you can lower humidity levels at home.

How Humidity Affects Your Home

Humidity makes your home feel hotter than it actually is. For example, if the temperature is 75° indoors, it will feel more like 80° with 100% humidity.
You may have sleeping problems.
Your wall paint or wallpaper may start peeling.
Indoor plants may start to wilt or become smelly.
You’ll have more dust mites.
Anyone in your family who has asthma or allergies may experience a flareup.
Your windows and doors, especially if they’re made of wood, will stick.
Furniture and appliances may also encounter problems.
Mold and mildew thrive in moist areas, and humidity makes the problem even worse.
Your overall comfort and indoor air quality will plummet.

How to Deal With Humidity

Nobody wants to live in a home with humidity issues. Here are some ways to solve this problem.

Keep your windows and doors closed and use your AC. Have it serviced by an HVAC maintenance expert to make sure it’s running at full functionality. They can check the filters and clean or replace them as needed.
Don’t leave surfaces wet. Use a clean rag or paper towels to wipe them dry.
Don’t ignore plumbing leaks and other issues. Call a professional to deal with them if you can’t on your own.
Ceiling fans can help with air circulation.
Invest in a home dehumidifier of the right size. A professional can help you choose one based on your needs. Ideal home humidity is between 30% and 50%. Get a dehumidifier that displays the amount of humidity in the room.
Take your wet laundry outside and hang it out to dry if your dryer isn’t equipped to vent outside. You’ll also save energy by air-drying laundry.
Don’t use your dishwasher, or run it only at night.
Keep interior doors open to help with air circulation.
Apply weatherstripping around your windows and doors.
Cook outside whenever you can if you have a barbecue pit or grill.
Turn on your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans if it gets stuffy.

These simple tips should help you lower indoor humidity and avoid all the problems it brings with it. Your air conditioning repair experts at Bounds Heating & Air can help you. Call us today at (352) 472-2761. We work with homeowners in Gainesville and in other areas around Florida.

How to Save Money by Using Carrier

When the summer season is in full swing, you hope at the very least to be able to stay cool indoors. On the other end of the spectrum, your greatest wish in the winter is to keep warm and cozy. At home, in vehicles and in business establishments, we’re able to achieve optimal temperatures thanks to HVAC equipment, as any HVAC maintenance and installation professional can attest to.

While some may be willing and able to pay top dollar for the best air conditioning products out there if those products mean indoor comfort, especially at home, there are ways to enjoy the same level of comfort while also saving some money.

In this post. your local air conditioning repair company, Bounds Heating & Air, discusses how you can save by purchasing Carrier HVAC products.

Rebates

Carrier offers rebates on select products during specific promotional periods. State and local rebates may also apply when you buy Carrier’s energy-efficient HVAC equipment. Go to Carrier’s website and you’ll find their Rebate Center, where you can use the rebate finder function.

Geothermal Tax Incentives

The federal government offers tax credit incentives to those who use energy-efficient alternatives to traditional energy sources like oil. A geothermal heat pump is one such alternative. It draws thermal energy from a well, yard or pond so you enjoy better energy efficiency regardless of the weather. Your geothermal heat pump might qualify for a one-time federal tax credit incentive of up to 30% of the cost of installation.

Financing

With approved credit through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., you can enjoy our flexible financing option. The benefits of our financing program include convenient online payments and competitive interest rates that might be better than your own credit card financing options.

Lease-to-Own

Don’t worry if you have a low credit score and are concerned you might not qualify for financing. You have one more option, and that’s to apply for a lease-to-own program. You have the option of paying for your Carrier system in 36, 48, or 60 months with our residential lease-to-own program with Microf.

It’s not a problem if you can’t pay cash for new Carrier HVAC equipment, or if you’d rather save money with your purchase. As your HVAC repair and installation professional, Bounds Heating & Air can help. Call us today at (352) 472-2761. We can help you in Gainesville and other parts of Florida.

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