A more efficient AC system means lower utility bills and a smaller environmental footprint. Bienvenu Brothers has been helping Metairie homeowners achieve both since 1937. Our BBB A+ Rated, 4th generation family-owned team provides AC energy audits, high-efficiency upgrades, smart thermostat installation, duct sealing, AC performance optimization, refrigerant optimization, airflow improvement, and insulation and cooling efficiency reviews. Fully licensed (LMP#7214WSPS) and recognized as an Angi Super Service Award winner, we are 100% recommended on Facebook and Loved Locally on Nextdoor. Flexible same-day appointments and 24/7 emergency service available. Start saving on cooling costs today. Contact Bienvenu Brothers or call (504) 835-7783.
AC Energy Efficiency Services in Metairie and New Orleans LA
When it comes to a building’s energy efficiency, a home or business owner has numerous options to ensure their monthly energy bills are low, and their air quality is high. For instance, you can invest in a high-efficiency air conditioner, which drastically cuts down on the overall costs of running a cooling system. Alternatively, you can purchase central air conditioning for the home or office – a system known for producing high quality cooled air in the perfect environment for low costs annually. Depending on your requirements and your building, either cooling system may work for your needs.
I highly recommend Bienvenu for ALL your plumbing needs
“We were in a pinch when our kitchen sink stopped up on a Saturday evening of a HOLIDAY WEEKEND with several out of town guests staying with us. We needed to get the kitchen sink unclogged as soon as possible so I called Bienvenu Brothers Plumbing and they went above and beyond what I expected. They arrived on time, were professional and courteous, answered all of our questions, and most importantly got our sink working again! I highly recommend Bienvenu for ALL your plumbing needs!”
- Rozane Keppner
AC Energy Efficiency Tips
To help our customers with their energy efficiency at home or in the office, there are quite a few different aspects that we would like to shed some light on.
Programmable Thermostat – If you have a programmable thermostat installed in your home, be sure to run it as high as is comfortable during the summer months. The small difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures will make a difference by lowering your cooling bill each month.
Cooling System Efficiency – You should schedule regular maintenance for your cooling system, ensuring it runs properly and efficiently for the vast majority of the time. Your air conditioner, evaporative cooler, and heat pump need to work correctly to reduce their overall cost each month.
Expert Tips
Maximize your AC energy efficiency by keeping your home well-insulated. Proper insulation helps to prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering, reducing the workload on your AC unit. Additionally, regularly clean or replace your AC filters to ensure optimal airflow and energy efficiency. Don't forget to schedule regular maintenance for your AC system to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. By implementing these simple steps, you'll not only save on energy bills but also contribute to a greener environment. Trust our experts at Bienvenu in Metairie, LA, to help you achieve optimal cooling while minimizing energy consumption.
- Vint Bienvenu Jr.
Call Us!
To ensure your household or office is running as efficiently as possible, have the experts at Bienvenu Brothers come in and examine the entire system. We’d be more than happy to address your concerns and help you save a bit of money on your monthly energy bills. Contact us today at (504) 835-7783.
Frequently Asked Questions
Louisiana's long, hot, humid summers require AC systems to run nearly continuously for five to six months. High energy costs result from a combination of extended operating hours, an aging or undersized system working harder than it should, refrigerant loss reducing efficiency, dirty coils increasing operating load, poor duct insulation losing conditioned air, and a low-SEER system that consumes more electricity per unit of cooling than modern equipment.
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures how efficiently an AC system converts electricity into cooling over an entire season. A higher SEER means lower electricity consumption per unit of cooling delivered. Because Louisiana's cooling season is among the longest in the country, a higher-SEER system provides proportionally greater annual energy savings than in states with shorter cooling seasons.
Annual maintenance that keeps coils clean and refrigerant properly charged is the single most impactful maintenance step. For older systems, upgrading to a higher-SEER replacement provides the largest long-term savings. Smart thermostat installation, ceiling fan use, attic insulation upgrades, and air sealing also reduce the cooling load the AC must overcome. Bienvenu Brothers addresses all of these through our service and installation offerings.
Yes. A dirty condenser coil alone can reduce system efficiency by 20 to 30 percent, directly increasing electricity consumption. Annual AC maintenance by Bienvenu Brothers restores rated efficiency through coil cleaning, refrigerant verification, and electrical system optimization, typically producing a measurable reduction in energy costs.
Yes. A system running with low refrigerant cannot transfer heat effectively, forcing the compressor to work longer and harder to achieve the same cooling. This increases electricity consumption, adds wear to the compressor, and eventually causes compressor failure if unaddressed. Bienvenu Brothers checks refrigerant levels during every maintenance visit and locates and repairs any leak rather than simply recharging.
The federal minimum SEER for the South is 15. Bienvenu Brothers recommends 16 SEER or higher as the replacement baseline for Louisiana homes. For high-usage households or homes with elevated cooling loads, 18 to 20 SEER systems provide meaningful long-term energy savings that justify the additional upfront investment. We calculate the payback period for your specific home before making a recommendation.
Yes. Smart thermostats reduce cooling costs by 10 to 15 percent on average by automatically adjusting setpoints during unoccupied hours, learning household schedules, and preventing the system from cooling an empty home to the same temperature as an occupied one. Bienvenu Brothers installs and programs smart thermostats with every new system installation and as standalone upgrades.
A two-stage AC system operates at reduced capacity during moderate weather and full capacity on the hottest days. During mild periods, the system runs longer at lower power rather than short-cycling at full power. This reduces electricity consumption, improves dehumidification, and extends compressor life. In Louisiana where shoulder-season temperatures are moderate, two-stage operation provides meaningful efficiency benefits.
Yes. Duct leaks that allow conditioned air to escape into unconditioned attic or wall spaces are a significant source of AC energy waste. Studies suggest that typical homes lose 20 to 30 percent of conditioned air through duct leaks. Bienvenu Brothers inspects ductwork and advises on sealing or replacement when leakage is identified.
Yes. An under-insulated attic allows solar heat to penetrate the ceiling into the living space, significantly increasing the cooling load the AC must overcome. Louisiana's intense solar exposure makes attic insulation one of the most cost-effective investments for reducing AC energy costs. Bienvenu Brothers advises on the interaction between insulation and HVAC efficiency during system assessments.
An oversized AC short-cycles, running at full power for brief periods before shutting off, which wastes energy and fails to remove humidity effectively. An undersized system runs continuously at full power without achieving the setpoint. A correctly sized system, determined by Bienvenu Brothers through a Manual J load calculation, operates efficiently and maintains comfort without waste.
Variable-speed systems adjust compressor and blower speed continuously to match exactly the current cooling demand. They operate at lower speeds for longer periods during mild conditions, which is highly efficient and dramatically improves dehumidification. Variable-speed systems achieve the highest SEER ratings available and are a worthwhile upgrade for Louisiana homeowners with above-average cooling loads.
Yes. A clogged air filter restricts airflow through the system, causing the blower to work harder and the evaporator coil to operate at reduced heat transfer capacity. Replacing or cleaning the filter every one to two months during peak cooling season maintains proper airflow and prevents the efficiency loss that clogged filters cause.
Yes. Window film reduces solar heat gain through glass, which is a significant source of cooling load in Louisiana homes. Reducing solar gain through glass lowers the cooling load the AC must overcome, improving comfort and reducing runtime. This is an investment coordinated with other contractors, but Bienvenu Brothers advises on how window improvements complement HVAC efficiency upgrades.
Yes. Zoning systems control temperature independently in different areas of the home, preventing the AC from cooling unoccupied rooms to the same level as occupied spaces. In Louisiana homes with significant upstairs-downstairs temperature differences or rooms that are not used during the day, zoning provides meaningful energy savings.
A heat pump operates with the same efficiency as a traditional AC in cooling mode, providing equivalent cooling at the same SEER rating. The efficiency advantage of a heat pump comes in heating mode, where it moves heat rather than generating it, achieving significantly better heating efficiency than gas or electric resistance heating in Louisiana's mild winters. For homes replacing both their AC and furnace, a heat pump often provides the best combined efficiency.
Yes. Ducts running through an unconditioned attic are exposed to temperatures of 130 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit in Louisiana summers. Even well-insulated ducts lose some conditioned air to heat transfer in these conditions. Poorly insulated or leaking ducts lose significantly more. Bienvenu Brothers assesses duct insulation and leakage as part of HVAC efficiency consultations.
An AC system that receives annual maintenance maintains its rated SEER efficiency throughout its life. A neglected system loses efficiency gradually as coils become dirty, refrigerant levels drift, and electrical connections corrode. By the time major failures occur, a neglected system may be operating at 20 to 30 percent below its rated efficiency. Annual maintenance with Bienvenu Brothers prevents this decline.
The payback period for higher-efficiency equipment is shorter in Louisiana than in most states due to the extended cooling season. A home that runs the AC nine months per year generates proportionally more savings from a higher-SEER system than a home in a mild climate. Bienvenu Brothers calculates the specific payback period for your home and usage pattern before recommending an efficiency level.
Bienvenu Brothers performs HVAC-focused efficiency assessments that evaluate your current system's performance, ductwork condition, insulation interaction with cooling load, thermostat programming, and equipment age. We provide specific recommendations ranked by cost-effectiveness for your home's situation.
Yes. Setting a traditional programmable thermostat to allow the home to warm by four to six degrees during unoccupied hours reduces AC runtime significantly. Bienvenu Brothers programs thermostats as part of every service visit and can advise on efficient scheduling for your household's routine.
Low refrigerant from a slow leak is the most common cause of gradual energy bill increases that homeowners attribute to utility rate changes. As refrigerant levels drop, efficiency drops proportionally. Bienvenu Brothers identifies and repairs refrigerant leaks during annual maintenance, restoring rated efficiency and reversing the associated energy cost increase.
Yes. Bienvenu Brothers installs, maintains, and repairs high-efficiency AC systems throughout Metairie, Jefferson, Kenner, River Ridge, Harahan, New Orleans, and all surrounding communities. Call [phone] to schedule a service or efficiency consultation.
A home energy audit assesses the building envelope, insulation, air sealing, and HVAC system together to identify the most cost-effective efficiency improvements. For homeowners considering AC replacement, an audit helps determine whether insulation and air sealing improvements should accompany the new system to capture maximum efficiency benefit. Bienvenu Brothers advises on how HVAC replacement fits into a broader efficiency improvement plan.
Setting back the thermostat during unoccupied hours saves more energy than maintaining a constant temperature. The AC uses less energy returning the home to comfort temperature from a higher setpoint than it saves by maintaining the setpoint continuously. A smart thermostat automates this setback without any manual effort.
Solar panels reduce net energy costs by generating electricity during the day when AC demand is highest. The interaction between solar generation and AC consumption is particularly favorable in Louisiana's sunny climate. Bienvenu Brothers advises on the HVAC component of solar-plus-HVAC efficiency planning.
Yes. A whole-home dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, allowing the thermostat to be set two to four degrees higher while maintaining the same perceived comfort level. Each degree of thermostat setback reduces AC energy consumption by approximately two to three percent. Bienvenu Brothers installs whole-home dehumidifiers as part of an integrated comfort and efficiency strategy.
Call Bienvenu Brothers at [phone] to schedule an HVAC efficiency assessment. We evaluate your current system's performance, identify specific efficiency losses, and provide a ranked list of improvements by cost and impact. Most homeowners find that annual maintenance alone produces a meaningful immediate improvement, with equipment upgrade providing the largest long-term benefit.
We are a BBB A+ rated, 4th generation family-owned HVAC company serving Louisiana since 1937. We understand the specific efficiency challenges of Louisiana's climate and provide honest, fact-based recommendations for reducing energy costs rather than pushing unnecessary upgrades. Our licensed (LMP#7214WSPS) team backs every recommendation with 89 years of HVAC expertise and verified trust from thousands of customers across the New Orleans area.
Yes significantly. Air leaks in the building envelope allow hot, humid Louisiana outdoor air to infiltrate the home, directly adding to the cooling load the AC must overcome. Common leak points include attic hatches, recessed light fixtures, electrical outlets on exterior walls, and duct penetrations. Sealing these leaks reduces the volume of outdoor air the AC must condition, lowering runtime and energy consumption. Bienvenu Brothers advises on how building envelope improvements interact with HVAC efficiency as part of a comprehensive energy assessment.
