How to Lower Your Energy Bills & Prevent HVAC Breakdowns: Eastern Kentucky Climate

Jul 30

Quick Answer: How Often Should You Service Your HVAC System in Kentucky?
In Eastern Kentucky’s humid summers and freezing winter months, your HVAC system should be professionally serviced twice a year—once in the spring for your air conditioner/heat pump and once in the fall for your furnace/heating unit. Regular preventative maintenance reduces monthly energy bills by up to 15%–30%, extends equipment lifespan, and prevents sudden emergency outages.
Need fast local service? Contact BMB Heating and Cooling in Drift, KY at (606) 377-2113 or (606) 791-9065 for 24/7 emergency repairs and maintenance.

Living in Floyd County and Eastern Kentucky means dealing with intense weather shifts—from sticky 90°F+ summer heatwaves to sub-zero winter cold snaps. Your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system works around the clock to keep your family comfortable.

Neglecting basic maintenance forces your system to work harder, driving up electric bills and increasing the risk of an unexpected system failure when you need heating or cooling most.

Here is a practical guide from the certified technicians at BMB Heating and Cooling on keeping your heating and air system running smoothly year-round.

1. Replace Air Filters Every 30 to 90 Days

A clogged air filter is the single most common cause of HVAC inefficiency and system strain.

Standard 1-inch filters: Change every 30 to 60 days.
Homes with pets or allergies: Change every 30 days.
High-efficiency pleated filters: Inspect monthly and replace every 90 days.

Why it matters: Restricted airflow forces your blower motor to run constantly, spikes your power bills, and causes cooling coils to freeze over.

2. Keep Outdoor Condenser Units Clear

Your outdoor unit (heat pump or AC condenser) needs space to expel heat efficiently.

Keep leaves, high grass, weeds, and debris at least 2 feet clear around the unit.
Gently rinse the aluminum fins with a garden hose (never a high-pressure washer) to remove mud, dust, and pollen buildup.

3. Upgrade to a Smart Programmable Thermostat

Heating and cooling account for roughly 50% of an average home’s energy usage. Adjusting your home’s temperature while you’re away or sleeping can cut your utility costs significantly.

Summer setting: 78°F when home; higher when away.
Winter setting: 68°F when home; lower when away.

4. Don’t Ignore Power Outages: Consider Standby Generator Backup

Eastern Kentucky storms often bring severe power outages. When the grid goes down, freezing winter temperatures or extreme summer heat can turn your home unsafe quickly.

Installing a whole-home standby generator (such as Generac or Cummins) ensures your HVAC system, refrigerator, and essential devices stay powered seamlessly during bad weather.

5. Schedule Professional Twice-Yearly Maintenance

While changing filters is a great DIY step, critical safety and efficiency checks require professional diagnostic tools.

What a BMB Heating and Cooling Maintenance Visit Includes:

Electrical Safety Inspection: Checking loose connections, capacitors, and contactors.
Refrigerant Level Check: Ensuring accurate charge levels to prevent compressor failure.
Coil & Drain Line Cleaning: Preventing water leaks, mold growth, and indoor air pollution.
Heat Exchanger & Burner Test: Inspecting gas furnaces for cracks or dangerous carbon monoxide hazards.
Airflow Optimization: Testing duct pressure and blower motors for peak efficiency.

Service Comparison: Heat Pumps vs. Traditional Furnaces in KY

Heat Pump System
- Primary Function: Provides both Heating & Cooling in one single unit
- Energy Efficiency: Extremely High (transfers heat rather than creating it)
- Ideal Climate: Perfect for Eastern Kentucky year-round
- Maintenance Need: Twice a year (Spring for Cooling & Fall for Heating)
Traditional Gas/Electric Furnace
- Primary Function: Heating only (requires a separate Air Conditioner for summer)
- Energy Efficiency: Moderate to High (creates heat)
- Ideal Climate: Great for extreme sub-zero cold
- Maintenance Need: Once a year (Fall Inspection before heating season)

Why Floyd County Chooses BMB Heating and Cooling

At BMB Heating and Cooling, we’re proud to be locally owned and operated right here in Drift, KY. We deliver transparent, straightforward service with no hidden fees.

24/7 Emergency Repairs: HVAC breakdowns don't wait for business hours—neither do we.
Top-Tier Brands: Authorized dealer and installer for trusted brands including Day & Night, Rheem, Durastar, Airtemp, Generac, and Cummins.
Flexible Financing Options: System replacement shouldn't break the bank—we offer manageable payment options.
Complete Solutions: Installations, repairs, preventative tune-ups, indoor air quality purifiers, and standby generators.

Schedule Your HVAC Tune-Up Today!

Don't wait for your system to break down on the hottest or coldest day of the year. Protect your home comfort and lower your power bills today with BMB Heating and Cooling.