How to save money on your electric bill this summer

The following is sponsored content by Trane.

It’s hot outside, in case you didn’t notice. Phoenix is one of the hottest places in the country, but we don’t need to tell you that. Not when your utility bill is likely screaming it at you.

The National Energy Assistance Directors Association estimates Arizonans will pay an average summer electric bill of $1,060 — more than residents in any other state. We know that July is historically the Valley’s hottest month, but August doesn’t fall far behind.

To help crunch down on that immense bill, we consulted Rocio Garcia, a Trane account manager and HVAC specialist, about ways to save your wallet without compromising too much on comfort.

How can people save money on high electric bills during high-need months?

The harder your AC works to get to your desired temperature, the more it will cost.

One of the most efficient ways to save money is to raise your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees higher than your desired temperature when you are away from home. Garcia emphasizes that turning your AC off when you are not home is actually more costly than raising the thermostat to a higher temperature.

“Most people think that you should turn off your AC unit when you’re away from home in the summer to save money, but that’s not always true,” she says. “It isn’t always the most efficient way to keep you comfortable. By setting it about 7 to 10 degrees higher when you’re out of your home, your system doesn’t need to work as hard to get your home to a comfortable temperature when you return.”

Another pointer she gave was to couple your AC with other in-home units like fans, but only when you are home.

“A fan set counterclockwise in the summer can create a cool breeze or wind chill effect,” Garcia says. “Running the ceiling fan in the summer can make you feel up to 5 degrees cooler than the thermostat setting. But ceiling fans don’t actually cool a room, so turn them off when you leave a room to save money.”

What mistakes do you see homeowners make regarding their AC?

One issue that Garcia notices most frequently is that homeowners run their AC until it no longer works. During high-demand months, a broken HVAC unit could lead to uncomfortable temperatures and higher bills at best, and heat-related medical emergencies at worst.

Running your AC until it breaks “may work for cars, but an inefficient HVAC system may be costing you more in energy bills than replacing the unit,” she says. “Your comfort level is probably also likely decreasing as well.”

What are some general maintenance tips to help prolong an AC system’s life and efficiency?

Changing your AC air filter every 30 to 90 days is one of the easiest ways to prolong your unit’s life and prevent it from having to work harder during high-demand periods, Garcia says.

In tandem, she also recommends scheduling biannual HVAC maintenance during non-peak times: spring and fall.

“Summer and winter are the busiest times of the year for HVAC technicians and when you need your unit working optimally,” she says. “By scheduling a maintenance check ahead of these periods, you can catch any potential issues before you need it most and possibly avoid an emergency repair.”

What are indicators that my AC unit needs to be repaired?

The first thing Garcia says to check for is inconsistency in temperature around the house. Hot and cold spots could indicate an issue in the HVAC system.

Secondly, if you start to notice your bills increase significantly, perhaps much more than anticipated, there may be an issue in your system.

“When your energy usage hasn’t changed but your bills do, that may indicate that your system isn’t running as efficiently as it should,” she says.

What are indicators that my AC unit needs to be replaced?

Naturally, older systems tend to be less efficient than newer systems. If your AC is over 10 years old, it is likely time to start looking for an upgrade. However, if your system is still running well, don’t sweat it just yet.

If your system has undergone multiple repairs in recent years, that could indicate that a system is not functioning properly, and it may be more efficient to upgrade your unit.

“Generally, if it’s more than three repairs in the last three years, it may be time to consider upgrading your system,” Garcia says.

Also, if your AC’s warranty has expired, it may be more cost-efficient to replace the old unit with a new one that is under warranty.

Finally, Garcia recommends following the $5,000 rule.

“The $5,000 rule is an industry-accepted rule for determining whether to repair or replace an HVAC system,” she explains. “Multiply the age of your equipment by its estimated repair cost. If the outcome is under $5,000, you should probably repair it. If it is over $5,000, you should replace it. If your current system is 10 years old or older, you may be able to save up to over $500 a year if you upgrade to a more energy-efficient system.”

The best way to save money on your electric bill without sacrificing comfort is to make sure your HVAC system is running properly and turning the thermostat up, not off, while you’re away. Staying up to date on maintenance is vital to ensuring the longevity of your system, and Trane has a dedicated team of Comfort Specialists who are available to help keep you cool and comfortable — hopefully, with a lower electric bill!

Call your local Trane Comfort Specialist to schedule a seasonal HVAC maintenance check and discuss HVAC upgrades and other options to optimize comfort.