Temperatures are steadily creeping up outside, which means your air conditioning unit is about to kick into overdrive.
If you’re thinking about how to save a few bucks, you’re not the only one. The average resident spent $146.30 on their monthly Public Service Company of Oklahoma bill last year, and the Flyer recently reported how electricity is getting more expensive in Oklahoma.
We talked to the experts to pull together a few things you can do around your home to get the best bang for your buck.
How old is your HVAC unit?
“If it’s sundated too far that you can’t read anything, that’s probably a sign that it’s old,” said Steve Uerling, a mechanical engineer at Tulsa’s Lee & Browne Consulting Engineers.
In 2006, most HVAC units became roughly 30% more energy efficient. There was another small increase nearly 10 years later. So if your unit is older than 2006, you might want to look into replacing it. Many older units also use refrigerant liquid you can’t buy anymore, which means it may be expensive to refill if it starts leaking.
HVAC replacements are costly, usually numbering in the thousands of dollars. But you might qualify for some heating, cooling and ventilation PSO rebates. These give money back for certain installations.
Have you cleaned your outdoor AC coils recently?
Dust and cottonwood build up on your outdoor HVAC coils. You may have gone years without cleaning these, which Uerling says can sink your efficiency. Folks who live near the Arkansas River and see more cottonwood may particularly benefit from a good cleaning, he added.
PSO has a tune-up program for HVAC conditioning and heating. It puts $125 toward cleaning and filter changes for your central conditioner and $200 for your heating pump. The program also adds $25 for refrigerant liquid. See the cost breakdown and whether you qualify here.
Are your windows in good condition?
Knowing the direction your windows face may have a larger impact than you’d think, according to Uerling. West-facing windows require air conditioning units to work extra hard. On top of that, foggy-looking windows could be a sign the seal between your window panes isn’t working well.
If you already have double-paned windows, replacing them might not be worth it. Uerling says this is more applicable to people in older homes that may still have single-paned windows.
Do you have a programmable thermostat?
Getting a programmable thermostat may open eligibility for other cost-saving programs. Uerling noted PSO’s Power Hours program, which adjusts your temperature by no more than a few degrees during peak demand times. Usually, these high energy events fall between June and September from 2 to 7 p.m.
You also get $50 per device — up to four in a house — when you sign up. Each year after that, it’s $25 per device. Read more about the program here. Additionally, you could get an $85 PSO rebate for buying an ENERGY STAR certified programmable Wi-Fi thermostat.
Other programs that might help
- U.S. Office of Community Services Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- City of Tulsa Emergency Repair and Rehab Programs
- PSO Weatherization Assistance Program
- Oklahoma Veterans United Tulsa Weather Coalition
- Community Action Resource & Development Inc. Weatherization Assistance Program
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