Did you know that it costs U.S. homeowners $29 billion to power their air conditioners every year? That equates to about 117 million metric tons of carbon dioxide released into the air annually! Your heating and cooling system goes through a lot during the seasonal peaks and the varied Massachusetts weather, and with winter officially behind us, now is the best time to start preparing to turn your AC on again. When you take the time to prep your AC for summer, you can save money, reduce energy usage, lower your carbon footprint, and stay cool no matter how high the temperatures soar this year.

Change Your Air Filter

Ideally your air filter should be replaced every month, but sometimes life happens and all of a sudden, it’s summer! A clean air filter can help you save money on cooling, decrease your system’s energy use, and let your unit cool your home more efficiently. The U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) says that routinely replacing or cleaning your air filter can actually “lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5-15%.” If it has been a while since you’ve looked at your air filter, springtime is a good time to replace it. A clogged, dirty filter “restricts air flow through the unit, decreasing its efficiency and reducing its ability to effectively cool the air,” says the U.S. DOE. This is an easy DIY project that you can put on the list for the weekend that takes less than 5 minutes.

Get a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

According to the U.S. DOE, a programmable thermostat could help you save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs every year. The sponsors of the Mass Save® program make it easy for Massachusetts homeowners and renters to save energy and money by offering items like programmable thermostats at no-cost to you. If you’re in the market for a smart thermostat, you can also access a rebate of $100 off smart thermostats. All you have to do to access these incentives is sign up for a no-cost virtual Home Energy Assessment here. There’s no obligation; it’s simply a great way to learn how your home consumes energy and access generous savings opportunities. Switching out your thermostat can save you money and energy and help you control your home’s temperature when the summer starts heating up.

Schedule Your HVAC Tune-Up

The U.S. DOE says that “annual maintenance can help improve your comfort and the efficiency of your air conditioner while prolonging the life of your unit.” Call HomeWorks Energy at (781) 305-3319 to ask about available maintenance plans and tune-ups that fit your needs. A qualified HVAC technician will ensure that your cooling system is ready to perform at its peak when you need it this summer, reducing the risk of surprise breakdowns and costly repairs. When was the last time you had your system checked by a professional? Get peace of mind knowing that you don’t have any small issues turning into big ones. Preventative maintenance comes highly recommended by home energy specialists and the U.S. DOE to save money, decrease energy use, and keep your system healthy and your family comfortable.

Get HVAC Repairs Completed

Don’t wait any longer to get your cooling system repaired. Once summer hits, the lines are longer, emergency calls get more expensive, and it’s a lot hotter without a working system. No matter how small the issue, your cooling system can’t function efficiently which means high energy use, increased cooling costs, and unnecessary wear and tear on your system. Call HomeWorks Energy at (781) 305-3319 for minor and more complicated repairs that are done the right way the first time. The U.S. DOE says that “neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases.” HomeWorks Energy has same-day repairs, generous rebates, and repair discounts for first-time customers to help you get your system back on its feet.

Upgrade Your Cooling System

A more energy-efficient cooling system is huge when it comes to reducing your energy use and lowering energy costs. Whether this means updating your current system to a more energy-efficient model or adding in ductless mini-splits, the switch can do wonders for your energy consumption and comfort level. The good news is that when you sign up for a no-cost virtual Home Energy Assessment here, you get access to generous incentives that make updating easy and low cost such as 0% financing and up to $2,750 in system rebates. During the Assessment, you will also learn other ways to make your home more energy-efficient so that your new system doesn’t have to work so hard to keep you comfortable. Offers like 100% off air sealing and 75%+ off insulation can be effective pairings with a new system that can tackle issues like high energy costs.

Now is the best time for prepping your system for the summer temps that are around the corner. With generous rebates and incentives available, now is your chance to take control of your cooling costs and energy use and enter summer worry-free. Sign up here for your no obligation Home Energy Assessment or call (781) 305-3319 to discuss preventative maintenance and tune-ups. Our certified home energy experts are ready to help you make your home more energy efficient this season!