How to Save on Your AC Bill

how to save on your ac bill - Twin Cities

How to Save on Your AC Bill

Summertime is a great time to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. If you live in Minneapolis, MN, you know how hot summers can get. So, if you’re like many of us, you’ll be enjoying your time indoors where there’s air conditioning. Unfortunately, summertime means a higher air conditioning bill. As Minnesota’s #1 Home Service Provider, our St. Paul air conditioning techs are sharing tips on how to save on your AC bill this summer. Read the article below to learn how you could be lowering your air conditioning bill and maintaining a comfortable home environment during the summer. 
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Turn Off Your AC At Night

One of our go-to recommendations when customers ask us, “how to save on our AC bill?” is AC use at night. This money-saving strategy is as obvious as day and night! Turn on your air conditioning during the day and turn it off at night. The evening air is naturally cooler, so switch off the air conditioning and open a window to take advantage of this. You might even get a mild breeze to keep you cool if you notice a breeze. Open windows or doors on all sides of your home to let it in.

how to save on your ac bill - Twin Cities MN

Program Your Thermostat 

Every degree counts when it comes to lowering your summer air conditioning expense and conserving energy. Setting your thermostat to a reasonable setting that won’t make your unit work too hard while still making you feel comfortable is one of the most energy-efficient things you can do. As a general rule, you should set the thermostat between 71-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that for every degree of cooling you can do without, you save money on your energy bill. In the summer, avoid making it overly cool. Setting your thermostat one degree warmer than usual will save you up to ten percent on your energy bills. As a general rule, don’t set the thermostat lower than 8 degrees below the outdoor temperature. Consider a thermostat with a built-in timer to assist lower your energy bill by not only controlling the temperature but also the hours of operation for best energy efficiency. Furthermore, it makes sense to have a system that does it automatically so you can set it and forget it. 

Close Your Blinds

Shade, shade, and more shade. Grab it however you can, and it will help your home stay cooler. As a result, your air conditioning system won’t have to work so hard to cool your home. The first step is to keep your blinds, curtains, drapes, and awnings drawn and closed. Keep that glorious sunlight outside with blinds, roller blinds, plantation shutters, or lined curtains. Light-colored backings for blinds and drapes will also help reflect sun heat for windows that face the sun.  By closing windows, blinds, shutters, or drapes, you may keep hot air and sun rays out, reducing the need for your air conditioner to work constantly to maintain the ideal temperature. If your windows have good blinds, heat absorption can be dramatically decreased. Even tinted windows can prevent part of the sun’s heat from entering your air-conditioned refuge, allowing your unit to work less hard.  Our friends at Specialized AV, a smart home automation company, recommend incorporating smart blinds. You won’t have to worry about opening or closing your blinds again. Just set the schedule, and you’re good to go!

Air Conditioning Maintenance

Here’s another great way to save money on your air conditioning bill this summer. To maintain optimum efficiency, ensure that your air conditioning equipment is serviced on a regular basis and that the HVAC filter is either replaced or cleaned. Any air conditioning equipment that has a dirty filter has to work harder, which means more electricity and greater energy expenses! It’s important to get your annual air conditioning maintenance done by a professional heating and cooling company. They will ensure that everything is working properly.  Now that you know a few tips on how to save on your AC bill, you can start saving today! Contact McQuillan Bros today to schedule your next HVAC service! 
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Complete the form below and one of our team members will give you a call to help get you scheduled. If you have an urgent need please call us at
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Common AC Problems

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Common AC Problems

When the weather in Minnesota gets really humid, the last thing you want is a broken air conditioner. There are a few common problems that can occur with air conditioning systems. McQuillan Bros wants you to be conscious, trained, and prepared to fix these air conditioning problems so you and your family can stay cool this summer. In this article, our AC repair techs discuss the common AC problems and how to overcome them.
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Unreliable Cooling

Do you think that some of your rooms are too cold when others are still warm? Many Twin City homeowners experience inconsistency in cooling. Although factors such as your home’s age and design may contribute to these consistency issues, you may also have a leak in your duct system. One of our qualified AC professionals will come to your home and inspect your air conditioner and duct system. From there, we will as recommend solutions to the issue. 

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Failure to Cool

If your air conditioner is simply blowing warm air, basic items like your filter should be checked. Filters that are dirty will prevent your system from working properly and are simple to replace. They can also reduce your system’s productivity. In reality, adjusting your AC filter in conjunction with other energy-saving measures will save you between 20 and 50 percent of the energy used by your air conditioning. Many air conditioning companies believe that homeowners dealing with an AC leak may need to clean condenser coils or have one of our specialists come out and add refrigerant to your air conditioner in certain situations. Other mechanical failures can also cause cooling problems. Seasonal air conditioning maintenance is one way to ensure your air conditioner is ready for the season. To ensure that all device components are operating properly, one of our highly qualified and skilled technicians will perform a comprehensive inspection, cleaning, and tune-up.

No Air Movement

If your AC system is on and you don’t feel air coming out of the vents, you may have a broken fan or thermostat. Our friends at Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing, one of the best air conditioning companies, say don’t panic. Double-check the breaker first.  It is simple to repair a tripped breaker on your own, and you can check your device to see whether the fan is working or not. Other less common problems include a faulty blower belt or wiring issues, which call for professional air conditioning services.

Ice Formation

At times, you can see ice accumulating inside your air conditioning unit. Your air conditioner will freeze in a variety of circumstances. Check for enough airflow through and around the air conditioning system. Airflow may be restricted by dirty air filters, closed dampers, or blocked vents or ducts. If all of these areas appear clear on visual inspection, you might want to contact our qualified team to perform a more thorough examination of your device.

Strange Sounds

You will find any problems with your air conditioning system more easily if you are aware of what it normally sounds like. Strange noises may indicate that something needs to be fixed or replaced. Squeaking sounds normally suggest an issue with your air conditioner belt, which might need to be realigned or replaced. If you hear grinding noises, you can check the motor’s bearings. Other sounds, such as rattling, may be easier to fix, such as a loose cover.

Odd Operation Patterns

In almost all weather conditions, the air conditioner can turn on at a certain temperature, run for a short period of time, and then turn off. If your air conditioner is continuously running or seems to turn on and off too often, you should fix these concerns. If your air conditioner never turns off, there may be a problem with the fan, refrigerant level, or relay switches. A clinical visit by a member of our team might be required to diagnose and fix these issues. A device that repeatedly switches on and off may indicate a dirty or clogged condenser or evaporator. Furthermore, a thorough cleaning will assist in resolving this problem.

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Contact McQuillan Bros

If you are experiencing any of these common AC problems and you are unable to overcome them, contact our experienced experts at McQuillan Bros in Twin Cities, MN. We’ve been proudly serving the Minneapolis areas since 1883. 
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Complete the form below and one of our team members will give you a call to help get you scheduled. If you have an urgent need please call us at
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When to Replace Your Central AC Unit

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When to Replace Your Central AC Unit

Air conditioning systems are a necessary investment. Unfortunately, they don’t last forever. Even if you stay on top of your air conditioning maintenance, a time will come when you’ll need an AC replacement. But, how can you know the time is up? The air conditioning replacement MN professionals share how you know when to replace your central AC unit.

The Age of Your AC Unit

Our experienced air conditioning technicians estimate that AC units last for approximately 10-15 years. The expected lifespan of AC units is therefore one of the important factors that determine when those units should be replaced.
As your air conditioning unit becomes older, its efficiency drops significantly. For example, while the average AC energy consumption maybe 44 percent of your monthly utility bill, an inefficient unit will require a lot more energy.
Additionally, older AC units use a refrigerant called R22. Due to environmental concerns, this particular refrigerant is being phased out. It will, therefore, be harder and more costly for you to maintain your older unit.
The professionals at Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing, an air conditioning company in Placerville, agree that if your unit is close to or even older than 10 years, now may be the time to talk to McQuillan Bros about a replacement.

Excessive Dust and Noise

If you can’t seem to have a dust-free home despite all the effort devoted to cleaning the house, your air conditioning system may be to blame. You may have a problem with the indoor coil. This is commonly known to cause dust to circulate in your home.
An overly noisy AC unit may also be a sign of an overdue air conditioning replacement. Component wear, inadequate maintenance, and the normal aging process may have caused the unit to emit abnormal noises as it works. Consult your St. Paul air conditioning repair technician for advice about the viability of repairing or replacing this noisy unit.

AC Maintenance Costs are Skyrocketing

If you’re on the fence about replacing your AC unit, pay attention to the following costs.
First, we at McQuillan Bros recommend that you analyze the energy costs incurred while you use the air conditioning system. If the bills are getting higher without any change in your usage habits, then it is likely that your system is inefficient. Our AC professionals are more than happy to take a look at your AC unit to see if an AC repair or AC replacement is in your best interest. 
Secondly, how much have you been spending on AC repair? How frequently have you had to call St. Paul air conditioning repair professionals to fix a defect with the system? If maintenance costs have been going up, then you should consider replacing your central AC unit. You’ll be able to enjoy reliable and energy-efficient cooling.  

Humidity and Cooling Inconsistencies

Under normal circumstances, an AC system removes humidity and provides uniform cooling throughout a home or business premises. However, you may be unable to enjoy these benefits if a defect exists in the air conditioning system. Find out from McQuillan Bros if it is wise to repair or replace your AC unit. 
If you are concerned about the upfront cost of replacing the air conditioning unit, then remember that you may qualify for state and municipal rebates for upgrading to a more efficient AC unit. The improved efficiency of a new unit will make your investment worthwhile and any rebates you qualify for will be the icing on the cake.
If you have are experiencing any problems with your air conditioning system, contact McQuillan Bros. We are more than happy to help you any HVAC or plumbing problems. Contact us today!