It’s been a long summer so far in 2022… and seasoned Lowcountry homeowners know that we’ve got quite a few months left of the humidity and heat. Because of that high heat and humidity, our air conditioning systems work hard, long hours – and that means they require a ton of electricity to keep you cool and comfortable. With energy costs higher than ever, smart folks throughout the Charleston area are looking for ways they can save a little bit of money on their monthly bills. As they say, you can’t change the weather. There’s not much we can do about the heat and humidity here… but there are certainly ways we can improve our homes and habits to lower those bills and save a little money without sacrificing comfort. It’s all about becoming energy efficient!

Here are five of our best tips to stave off the summer heat while saving a little coin. Keep reading!

How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient in Charleston, SC

1. Track Your Energy Use

If you have a good idea of how much energy you’re using and why, it becomes much easier to assess where to cut back.  Your monthly energy bill isn’t just for your AC, though that’s a big part of it. All of the appliances and electronics in your home cost dollars and cents when they’re on or running – and it all ads up.

So, make an energy budget! Take stock of all of your appliances and electronics and see how much energy they use and how often they’re running – most are labeled with their cost per hour. Use this information to estimate your total consumption and compare it with your energy bills.

You’ll likely find a big discrepancy, which means you have energy waste to contend with.

2. Reduce Energy Waste

The first place you’ll want to check for waste is in the air itself. Any drafts and leaks from your home to the outside will stress your AC unit, which makes it run much harder and longer. All that extra work on behalf of your AC will increase your energy costs at the end of the month..

Here’s where to check for drafts:

• Windows
• Doors
• Vents
• Ducts
• Attic access points
• Chimney
• Garage entries/exits
• In/Out Pipes
• In/Out Electrical outlets and sockets

All of these places can leak that cool, 70 degree air out of your home and into the hot Charleston air. Sealing them up properly means less waste!

3. Upgrade To Energy Efficient Windows

Windows are responsible for 25-30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. In older homes, they can be the single biggest source of energy waste in the home. Upgrading to new, high-efficiency windows is no small task – but it can make a huge difference for years and years to come on your power bills.

4. Insulation Remediation

Another big source of waste for homes, especially older ones, in Charleston is the insulation itself. If you find yourself with sky high cooling bills, have your local contractor come out and check out the performance of the insulation in your home. If an upgrade is possible and needed, you could potentially reduce your energy costs by 50 percent. If you’re in a newer home, you’re likely already good… but it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on it regardless.

5. Opt For an Energy Efficient HVAC System From Carolina Climate Control

Now that you’ve eliminated all the waste and sealed your home up tight, it’s time to go for the big savings… by installing an energy efficient HVAC system.

You’d be shocked by the impact of a higher efficiency air conditioning system. Many of our installs here in Charleston report anywhere from a 30% to 50% reduction on their monthly energy bills.

Get In Touch with Carolina Climate Control

We don’t need to tell you – it’s hot out there. With the heat comes the costs, and we’d all like to bring them down if we can. If you follow the improvement steps above, you should be well on your way to more affordable summers here in the Lowcountry, for years to come… and if you’re ready to take a big chunk out of those bills with a new, high efficiency HVAC system – get in touch! We’d love to work with you to lower your monthly energy costs.

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The topic of climate has been on everyone’s minds recently. As the summers get hotter every year, more people are looking into how to fight the heat and reduce greenhouse gases. One way to do this on a personal level is to reduce your energy footprint.

 

Your energy footprint is how much energy is getting used in your house. Home energy efficiency can reduce that footprint. But what is energy efficiency and how do you use it in your daily life?

 

Here’s a guide to energy efficiency, the benefits you’ll see, and how to get started.

 

What Is Energy Efficiency?

 

The energy efficiency definition is described as using less energy for the same job. By using less energy, you can cut your energy bills and reduce your contribution to pollution.

 

Some examples of energy efficiency can be seen in the electronics you use. Modern LED light bulbs use much less energy than ordinary light bulbs. Smartphones are designed in such a way that they use less energy when they’re not being used, which means you have to recharge them less.

 

You can also increase your energy efficiency in more manual ways, such as turning off lights when you leave a room or running your air conditioner less.

 

Benefits

 

One of the main benefits of seeking energy efficiency in your life is to save on money. Most appliances in your house use electricity, and you have to pay to access that power. You’ve probably noticed how much higher your monthly bill is during the summer when you’re running the AC all day.

 

Home energy efficiency benefits more than just your energy bill, though. Green homes often use solar panels to generate power from the sun. That means you aren’t pulling extra electricity from the power grid.

 

Cities that use solar power create fewer greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. Solar panels also lower overall electricity demand, which means less money needs to be spent on expanding power plants.

 

Methods

 

What is energy efficiency in practice, though? How does an individual implement it into their lives?

 

Cities around the world have implemented various ways to save energy in their operations. Some street security cameras run off of attached solar panels. There are tax breaks available for homeowners that use alternative energy sources.

 

Here are some of the different ways you can be energy efficient at home:

 

Energy-Efficient Technology

 

While using technology less will decrease your energy consumption, there are some things people can’t go without. Refrigerators, HVAC units, and lights all need electricity. Specialized energy-saving tech can lessen your impact on the environment.

 

Solar panels provide an optimal way to generate power outside of your electric grid. While it can be pricey at first, you’ll earn back the investment through tax breaks and lower energy bills.

 

Home energy efficiency can also improve using LED lights and smart power strips. LED uses less energy than traditional light bulbs. Smart power strips shut down power to devices when you aren’t using them.

 

Improve Your Windows

 

Your home’s windows are an important factor when it comes to saving energy. While they provide free light during the day, they also allow heat to go into and out of your house. By keeping your home at the desired temperature, you won’t have to run the AC or heat as often.

 

Thick, dark curtains can help block out light and keep your interior cool. You can also invest in double-pane windows to reduce heat transfer. They work by providing two layers of glass separated by a space between them.

 

Insulate

 

Another way to keep your home’s interior temperature from fluctuating too much is with insulation. Insulation keeps air from getting in and out, and it can also prevent heat transfer.

 

Insulate your walls, floor, attic, and more. You can also insulate your doorways and windows by adding weather strips.

 

Maintenance

 

A malfunctioning HVAC system can cause a lot of problems for your household. It can develop water leaks, run all day unchecked, or stop working altogether.

 

You should service your home air conditioning system at least once a year. Even if it’s running well, you never know when something will come loose or develop an issue. An HVAC system that isn’t running well will use up more energy without giving you the desired results.

 

Along the same lines, your ductwork might need replacing. Ductwork is made to last around 10 to 15 years before they start to develop problems. Patch jobs will only get you so far.

 

While it’ll cost you to replace it all, you can reduce your utility bills by as much as 20%.

 

If you spot any of the warning signs, make sure to contact your local HVAC repair company as soon as possible.

 

Smart Thermostat

 

Your thermostat may also be one of the reasons your HVAC system isn’t operating properly. A broken one can display false readings or not deactivate when it’s supposed to.

 

Upgrade your thermostat to a smart one for the best results. It’ll learn your schedule and balance temperatures in your home. Some also work with temperature sensors placed throughout your house.

 

Saving on Power

 

What is energy efficiency, in practice? How do you get more conscious about your energy use?

 

Reconsider how you use your appliances. Unplug devices that aren’t currently being used, including chargers. Look for lights that run on less power.

 

If you have an HVAC system installed in your home, keep an eye on how you use and care for it. Overuse of your AC during the summer can easily double your energy bills.

 

Contact Carolina Climate Control if you feel like your system isn’t operating as it should. Get your free estimate today.

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Protecting the planet from the effects of climate change has never been more important than it is today. And there are a lot of ways that people can do their part to help.

 

But it can be difficult to keep track of what the right things to do are. When’s the best time to water your lawn or run your dishwasher? Are there more ways you could be saving electricity?

 

The good news is that the United States federal government is willing to help right now by providing HVAC tax credits. Read on to learn everything you need to know to take advantage of this incentive.

 

 

What Are the Federal HVAC Tax Credits?

 

The federal government of the United States has implemented tax credits for investing in energy efficiency. This means that those who upgrade equipment and invest in renewable energy can have the amount of taxes they pay reduced. And HVAC systems are one of the items that qualify right now.

 

These systems can be expensive, so even if they’re having problems a lot of people will try to put off getting it replaced. This often means that their HVAC system is not as energy efficient as it should be. The more energy people use, the more greenhouse gases can be released into the atmosphere.

 

This is exactly what these types of tax credits intend to fight. They’re motivation for people to invest in clean energy and energy-efficient equipment. It’s one way the United States is trying to fight climate change.

 

Right now, the federal government is offering tax credits of ten percent of the total cost of qualifying HVAC systems. This amount can be claimed for up to five hundred dollars. This incentive ends after the 2021 tax cycle.

 

How Does This Help You?

 

For you, this means that you can reduce the amount of federal taxes you owe by five hundred dollars. That’s money that can help pay for your new HVAC system almost right away!

 

In other words, if you’re hesitating to upgrade your HVAC because you’re worried about cost, your federal governments are willing to help you pay for it. This is meant to encourage people who have been sitting on this decision for a while to go ahead and get it done now.

 

And there are other benefits too. An energy-efficient HVAC system means that your system won’t use as much power to run. This means that you can save some money on your energy bill every month after getting the system installed.

 

In other words, your system will eventually pay for itself. Between the tax credits and energy savings, upgrading your HVAC system has never been more affordable than now.

 

Furthermore, you can feel confident that you’re doing your part to help protect the environment when you upgrade your HVAC system. It’s just one of the few things you can do to reduce fossil fuel usage. And the best part is that you’re saving money while you do it.

 

 

Qualifying for Tax Credits

 

Tax credits are nice, but this information is useless without knowing what systems qualify.

 

The first thing you want to check is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). To qualify for the tax credit, your new system should have a SEER of sixteen or higher. The contractor who installed your new HVAC system should be able to give you this information.

 

They should also be able to give you the paperwork that proves that your system qualifies for tax credit coverage. There should be a certificate from the AHRI proving that it qualifies for the tax credit. You might also be able to tell it qualifies if your system says that it’s EnergyStar certified.

 

If you’re not sure if your system qualifies, the AHRI has a website out right now that allows you to check. You can use this tool to check if your new system qualifies before you commit to purchasing one. Those that already have purchased a system recently can also use this website to check if they qualify if they aren’t sure.

 

 

What if You Upgraded Your HVAC in 2020?

 

If you upgraded your HVAC system within the last few years, then you may be thinking that you’ve missed out on a good incentive. The good news is that this isn’t true.

 

This tax incentive has been running since the 2017 tax cycle and will be running through the end of the 2021 tax cycle. This legislation also allows anyone who didn’t know about it when they purchased to claim this credit retroactively. In other words, as long as you upgraded your HVAC system as recently as 2017, then you can still claim the tax credit on your 2021 taxes.

 

You still have time to claim your tax credit if you upgraded your system in 2020. You’ll receive the same benefits as someone upgrading their system this year if you do.

 

So there’s no need to feel frustrated for not claiming that money sooner. You can still get compensated for ten percent of your new system’s cost.

 

But you should double-check that your system qualifies before you get too excited. Not every new HVAC system will be covered after all. Check the AHRI’s website to see if your system qualifies so that you can get your tax credit this year.

 

 

Upgrade Your HVAC System Today

 

Upgrading your HVAC system is a great way to lower your energy bill and help the environment at the same time. And right now is the best time to do it thanks to the federal HVAC tax credits.

 

We’re one the best in the business when it comes to HVAC upgrades. We’ll get you set up with an EnergyStar-approved system that will help you save money and energy every month. And you might even be able to get the federal tax credit for it!

 

Get a free estimate today and see what we can do for you.

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Summer is finally here, and while everyone’s thoughts are turning to days at the beach and nights in the backyard pool, it’s also the time to work hard to improve your HVAC efficiency.

The last thing you need is to have the new HVAC system you installed last summer breaking down because you didn’t maintain it properly. On the other hand, if you haven’t upgraded your unit in a while, you’re going to need to do that as well.

In Charleston homeowners know how humid and extremely hot the heat can be during the summer season. Below you’ll find a few ways to prepare your home for the summer heat by increasing your HVAC efficiency.

 

1. Upgrade Your HVAC System

 

If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, then Lowcountry living could get really uncomfortable for you in the middle of a southern heatwave. The heat can do horrible things to your body, so you want to ensure your HVAC system is upgraded to a more efficient system before the summer begins.

If your system is over 10 years old, it’s possible that it’s not the best energy-efficient option out there. Some older units, in fact, aren’t very energy efficient at all. Once you’ve upgraded your system, make sure to have a professional HVAC company come out and inspect the unit for you regularly, which is the best way to ensure you’re ready for the hot summer ahead.

 

2. Seal Up Air Leaks in Your Home

 

While you can’t see it, any air that seeps through your ductwork or your windows and doors reduces your unit’s efficiency and can cause your energy bills to skyrocket. It’s important to seal those leaks properly before the summer begins.

While you might be able to spot huge leaks in your ductwork, there could be little leaks in the ductwork in the attic and other spots that you can’t see with the naked eye. This is the same as tossing your hard-earned money out of the window, along with the cool air escaping from your home.

It’s best to have a reputable HVAC service check for leaks for you. Make sure to seal the air leaks in your windows and doors before summer begins as well. One of the best ways to ensure air isn’t leaving your home through the windows is to upgrade your windows to energy-efficient models before the summer begins.

 

3. Perform Regular Maintenance Duties

 

Not only can your HVAC professional come out and inspect your unit before the heatwave begins, but you can perform regular maintenance duties on your HVAC unit also.

While you’re waiting on the HVAC service to come out and inspect your unit, clean around the condenser unit itself. The condenser unit is the unit that sits on the outside of your home and is responsible for getting that cool air inside. The condenser unit does its job best when it’s clean.

Make sure to remove any debris, cut away any deep grass and rake up any leaves that have gathered there over the long winter months for the best results.

It’s also important to check any indoor vents for signs of blockage, as that’ll stop the cool air from getting into and circulating throughout your home. For example, large pieces of furniture or rugs draped over or near vents can block the airflow and decrease the efficiency of your unit.

Vents covered in dust and debris make the HVAC unit work harder to cool your home, lower the unit’s efficiency, and increase your energy bills. Take the time to vacuum and inspect your vents before summer begins, and it’ll save you time and money in the long run.

 

4. Change Your Air Filter Regularly 

 

One of the easiest things to forget when maintaining an HVAC unit is changing the air filter. The air filter is out of sight, so it’s often out of mind as well. It’s one of the most important tasks to remember if you want to increase the efficiency of your unit during the scorching summer months ahead.

Air filters are easy to find at any hardware or big box store; you just need to know the size that you need before you go. It’s important to change out your air filter monthly, sometimes more, if you live in an extremely dusty place, which the Lowcountry can be.

Air filters usually only cost a few dollars unless you get allergy-reducing filters, which is always a good idea. Switching out your air filter is easy to do. Simply remove the cover, take out the old filter, replace it with the new filter, and put the cover back on. However, it’s best to switch off the air during the process just to be on the safe side.

 

HVAC Efficiency Reduces Energy Bills 

 

While you, of course, want to keep your home cool during a summer heatwave in the Lowcountry, increasing the efficiency of your HVAC unit isn’t just about being comfortable. A unit that isn’t working at prime efficiency is a drain on energy and can send your energy bills through the roof.

The harder your unit has to work to cool your home, the higher your electric bills are going to climb. So, if you’ve noticed your energy bills skyrocketing during the summer season, your HVAC unit could be the culprit.

 

Schedule HVAC System Maintenance Today

 

These are just four of the ways that you can increase your HVAC efficiency before the Lowcountry’s summer heat settles in. All of the ways above will help to increase the way your unit operates, keep you cool this summer, and lower your energy bills as well. To schedule system maintenance on your HVAC unit, contact us today for an appointment.

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