Cooling Your Home Affordably

outdoor air conditioning unit beside a picket fence

Throughout Cincinnati’s hot summers, air conditioning is an absolutely essential comfort for making sure you and your family have a comfortable and enjoyable summer. But keeping your home cool in the heat of the summer days isn’t cheap. And, as time goes on, temperatures are going up, along with energy costs. Continuing to be able to afford air conditioning in the future will likely depend on a mix of individual choices, policy changes and technology improvements. Here are some key ways we all might manage cooling costs as the climate changes:

1. Choosing more efficient technologies

  • Many new AC models are more energy-efficient than older technologies. Heat pumps, for example, use much less electricity than traditional air conditioners.
  • Smart thermostats help optimize cooling and reduce wasted energy.
  • Passive cooling techniques (like better insulation, reflective roofs and window shading) can reduce the need for AC.

2. Accessing governmental and utility assistance

  • The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 extended tax credits for the purchase and installation of high-efficiency HVAC systems through 2032. The IRA allows a credit of 30% of project costs up to a maximum of $600 for homeowners who install new, energy-efficient central air conditioners.

Installing a qualified heat pump* has a tax credit of 30% of the cost of installation, up to a maximum of $2,000.

*Please check with your HVAC installation professional and tax professional to determine which equipment may qualify in your circumstance.

  • Through the IRA, Ohio was awarded $249 million by the Department of Energy (DOE) to help eligible Ohioans by offering rebates towards projects aimed at improving energy efficiency through the following programs:
  1. High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA) – $124,150,970
  2. Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) – $124,628,229
  • Duke Energy, an energy service provider here in Ohio, additionally offers the following rebates:
  1. Smart $aver: Rebates for HVAC upgrades, insulation, water heaters and heat pumps
  2. Power Manager and EnergyWise Home: Bill credits for shifting energy use away from peak periods (check to see if this is still available in your area)
  3. HVAC replacement: Up to $300 in rebates towards your HVAC replacement
  4. Attic insulation: Up to $800 in rebates towards improved home insulation
  5. Duct test and repair: Up to $200 in rebates for duct repairs and 50% of the cost of a duct test
  6. Energy-efficient windows: Up to $400 in rebates for replacing your windows

3. Going solar

Ohio residents and businesses can receive tax credits and other incentives for installing solar energy systems through the following programs:

Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

  • A 30% tax credit on the total cost of solar panel installation and battery storage
  • Applies to solar projects that begin between 2023 and 2033
  • To claim the credit, you print and fill out IRS form 5695 and submit it with your taxes

Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)

  • One SREC is earned for every 1,000 kWh of electricity generated by a system
  • SRECs can be sold for cash on an open marketplace
  • Utilities and other organizations buy SRECs to meet renewable energy requirements

Other solar incentives include

  • Net metering: Homeowners can receive a bill credit for excess energy that goes back into the distribution system
  • Local incentives: Some counties offer loans, property tax exemptions or other incentives
  • USDA REAP grant: Small, rural businesses and agricultural producers can receive funding for renewable energy systems

4. Supporting public cooling centers and better urban planning

  • More cities may invest in centers where people can go during extreme heat events.
  • Urban planning changes like more trees, green roofs and shaded walkways can reduce overall temperatures throughout urban areas.

5. Taking excellent care of your AC system

If you stay on top of AC maintenance and any HVAC repairs that come up, your system will operate as cost-efficiently as possible, last as long as possible, and have a smaller carbon footprint compared to a system that isn’t maintained well.

Ask your local HVAC company for help

To spend less on energy this summer, ask your Jansen Heating & Cooling technician for ideas, review expert tips offered in blog posts here on our site, have a free energy analysis done by the heating and cooling experts here at Jansen. We can advise you on the best course of maintenance or repair for your HVAC system, put you on a solid HVAC service schedule, and can give you an idea of when it’s the optimum time to replace your system with something new and more energy efficient. With Jansen, you will get expert guidance, professional service and proper AC installation, every time.

Tags: air conditioning costs, climate change and utility bills, cooling centers, energy-efficiency rebates, EnergyWise Home, Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, green roofs, Heat pumps, high-efficiency AC, Home Energy House Call, HVAC rebates, HVAC replacement rebates, HVAC tax credits, net metering, passive cooling, Power Manager, shaded walkways, shared cooling, smart thermostats, Solar Renewable Energy Credits, solar tax credits, The Inflation Reduction Act, USDA REAP grants

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Why Call a Pro for Your HVAC Repair?

At Jansen Heating & Cooling, we are known for quick, affordable and expert service. The most cost-effective way to maintain your heating and air conditioning system is to have one of our specialists visit twice a year. While you might be tempted to repair your furnace, heat pump or AC yourself, you could be endangering your family and wasting precious resources by doing so. If you call a professional when your home comfort system is acting up, you’ll avoid safety hazards; save time (and probably money); won’t have to invest in the specialized tools needed for HVAC projects; and won’t void the warranty. HVAC specialists train for 7 months to 2 years. Then, they complete a 3-5 year apprenticeship. Along with this training, HVAC professionals need to be able to work in tight spaces. They must stay up on local regulations. And their experience helps them think creatively when confronted with novel problems.