If you’ve seen your electric bills increase over the summer and your home takes longer to cool, you’re probably eyeing both your current AC system and home performance upgrades that improve energy efficiency, such as home insulation. But which is the better option: upgrade your AC or add insulation? In this blog, we look over the factors at play that you’ll need to consider for the best energy efficiency to save you money.
Home Performance Improvement: AC or Insulation?
There is no one answer to this problem until you get all the information. This means not only looking at your current AC system and home insulation, but also comparing the two against each other and as a whole against taking no action. Consider these four factors:
1. It’s Time for a Diagnostic with a Home Evaluation
First, you need to diagnose both your AC and insulation situations. If one is critical, it’ll make the choice easier, plus other factors such as higher utility costs, ventilation ducts in need of cleaning, etc. might show that you’ve got other places that are causing the rise in your energy costs. Getting an energy audit, especially a comprehensive one that includes additional air quality testing, is the best place to start.
2. The Costs and Variables for AC Repair & Replacement
If your HVAC or AC systems are discovered to be at fault, further diagnostics can show whether it’s worth repairing or replacing it, or if you’ll save more money by dealing with insulation instead.
- Age of AC System: As AC and HVAC systems age, they grow less effective. By some estimates, an AC system over 10 years old is running 15 to 20% less efficiently.
- AC Maintenance: AC system degradation can often be resolved with cleaning and maintenance. Often only part of the system needs to be replaced or updated.
- Cost to Replace: If your AC system does need to be replaced, it’s important to get a quote for a replacement, including more efficient and energy-saving options.
3. Adding the Most Cost-Effective Insulation
Depending on any issues with the AC systems, insulation might be a cheaper alternative, especially if easier options haven’t been explored. Often a home evaluation will turn up one or more places it’s most cost-effective to add insulation. For many homes, that will end up being the attic and upper crawlspaces: places where heat and cooling can leave the house and can be thermally sealed off to save costs and improve home comfort.
4. Your Best Long-Term Savings is Almost Always Both
Of course, if an energy audit finds issues with both your home insulation and AC systems, the best option is to do both. With projects like these, you can also fold in additional low-cost home performance options, such as air sealing and ventilation upgrades. All these together don’t just lower costs, but improve comfort and increase air quality.
Energy Efficiency Experts in St. Louis
At Greenmark Home Performance, we believe that every homeowner should be able to access cost-effective energy efficiency while also improving their home’s comfort and air quality. That’s why we offer an extensive home evaluation and energy audit, followed by a plan to improve your home performance at the best cost. If you’re in the St. Louis area, schedule an evaluation today or call us at (314) 845-9144 to get started.
