Heating Or Cooling Which Cost More To Run In South Metro Atlanta?

Does Heating Cost More Than Cooling?

🔥 Heating vs. Cooling: Which Costs More in South Metro Atlanta Homes?

Every homeowner in Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Newnan, Griffin, Senoia, and Sharpsburg eventually asks the same question: “Does heating cost more than cooling?”

The answer isn’t simple because fuel type, equipment efficiency, ductwork, insulation, and even your thermostat habits all change the math. But in Georgia, where summers are long and humid, the numbers usually tilt in one direction. Let’s break it down.

⏱️ Runtime Hours Decide the Winner

Even if heating is more expensive per hour, the number of hours your system runs usually decides which season costs more. In South Metro Atlanta, AC systems often cycle for 1,500–2,000 hours a year. Furnaces may only run 400–600 hours during our relatively short winters. That gap means cooling usually racks up the bigger bill. In northern states, it’s the opposite, since furnaces run for months on end. However, in Peachtree City, Fayetteville, and Sharpsburg, many homeowners find that their July and August electric bills rival their combined winter gas bills.

👉 Learn more about our Air Conditioning Repair Peachtree City

services.

⚡ Efficiency Ratings: SEER2 vs. AFUE

Your system’s efficiency rating plays a significant role in utility costs:

Furnaces use AFUE. An 80% furnace wastes 20% of fuel, while a 96% model nearly eliminates waste.

Air conditioners and heat pumps use SEER2. Many homes in Griffin, Senoia, and Tyrone still operate on outdated 10–12 SEER units that consume nearly double the energy of today’s 15–18 SEER systems. Heat pumps add complexity. In mild weather, they’re efficient. But once temps fall below 35°F, backup heat strips kick in — and costs can triple overnight.

We’ve seen homes where a simple refrigerant balance or duct adjustment saved hundreds each season. That’s why the real question isn’t just “which fuel costs more,” but “how efficiently does your system run under Georgia’s conditions?”

👉 Improve efficiency with our HVAC Installation in Fayetteville

services.

🏠 The Hidden Losses: Ducts & Insulation

No matter how efficient your furnace or AC is, leaky ducts and poor insulation can destroy savings.

In Fayetteville, Newnan, and Zebulon, we often find that 20–30% of conditioned air escapes into attics or crawlspaces before it reaches the rooms. Older homes with thin attic insulation lose even more.

That means your furnace burns extra gas in the winter. Your AC runs longer in summer. We’ve inspected homes in Griffin and Tyrone where duct sealing alone cut energy costs by 25%.

👉 See how we help homeowners save with Air Conditioning Repair Senoia

📉 Usage Habits & Thermostat Control

Sometimes, your habits swing costs more than the equipment itself: Running the furnace at 75°F or the AC at 68°F results in longer runtimes. Leaving the fan in “ON” mode raises humidity in summer. Dirty filters block airflow, reduce system life, and increase power consumption. Skipping tune-ups means dirty coils, refrigerant imbalance, and poor combustion efficiency.

In Peachtree City and Sharpsburg, smart thermostats have reduced bills by 10–15% by adjusting temperatures when families are away from home. Even a 2° change in setpoints can save hundreds each season.

👉 Keep your system running right with Air Conditioning Repair Newnan

❄️ The Final Answer for Georgia Homes

So, which costs more in South Metro Atlanta — heating or cooling?

For most homes in Fayette, Coweta, and Spalding counties, cooling costs more because of our long, humid summers and nearly nonstop AC runtime. However, homes with electric furnaces or older heat pumps often see their winter bills surge higher than their summer costs. Ultimately, the deciding factors are:

Fuel type (gas vs. electric vs. dual-fuel)
AFUE and SEER2 efficiency ratings
Duct leakage and insulation levels
Thermostat habits and maintenance

The best way to know for sure? Compare your January and July bills, then schedule a professional inspection. We’ll measure your system’s efficiency, check for duct losses, and show you exactly where your money is going.

👉 Get your custom Heating vs. Cooling Cost Evaluation today. Call (678) 603-7775 or schedule service at john-hc-appliance.com

✅ Final Takeaway

In Georgia, cooling often wins the cost battle — but your home may be different. Don’t guess, and don’t let hidden inefficiencies continue to drain your wallet. At John’s Heating, Cooling, and Appliance Repair, we combine 28+ years of experience with honest diagnostics, expert service, and upfront pricing to give you the answers you need.

📍 Serving Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Newnan, Sharpsburg, Senoia, Griffin, Tyrone, Zebulon, and South Metro Atlanta.

📞 Call (678) 603-7775 today for trusted HVAC service you can count on.

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Does Freon Wear Out?

By John Davis • October 9, 2025

❄️ Does Freon Wear Out? The Complete Guide to AC Refrigerant Myths & Leaks For more than 28 years, John’s Heating, Cooling, and Appliance Repair has been the trusted choice for homeowners and businesses across Fayetteville, Peachtree City , Newnan , Griffin , Sharpsburg , Senoia , Tyrone , Zebulon , and South Metro Atlanta . One of the most common questions we hear is: 👉 “Does Freon wear out in my air conditioner like motor oil in a car?” The short answer: No. Refrigerant doesn’t wear out — it leaks. In this guide, we’ll bust the myths, explain the science, and show you why leaks are the real problem — plus how our team fixes them the right way. 🔍 Part 1: Why People Think Freon “Wears Out” When an air conditioner stops cooling, it’s easy to assume the refrigerant (often called Freon) just “ran out.” The logic makes sense — cars need oil changes and fluid top-offs. But refrigerant doesn’t work that way. How Refrigerant Really Works Closed-Loop System – Refrigerant runs in a sealed cycle, absorbing and releasing heat. It isn’t consumed. No Combustion – Unlike fuel or oil, refrigerant doesn’t burn or break down. Constant Cycle – The same refrigerant circulates through compression and expansion, year after year. 👉 If your AC is low on refrigerant, it’s not because it wore out — it’s because it escaped through a leak. ❄️ Part 2: Why Leaks, Not Wear, Cause Problems Refrigerant leaks are the real issue. Once refrigerant escapes, your AC loses efficiency and struggles to keep up with the summer heat in Georgia. Common Signs of a Refrigerant Leak Warm air blowing from vents Ice buildup on coils or refrigerant lines Hissing or bubbling noises near the unit Higher electric bills despite poor cooling The Cost of Ignoring a Leak Burned-out compressor – one of the most expensive AC repairs Energy bills up 30–50% – wasted money every month Poor indoor air quality – sticky, uncomfortable air System breakdowns – failure right when you need it most 👉 Just “topping off” Freon doesn’t solve the problem. It’s a temporary band-aid that guarantees you’ll be calling again. 🔬 Part 3: The Science of Refrigerant Refrigerant is designed to last the entire lifespan of your AC system. It circulates through indoor and outdoor coils, absorbing and releasing heat. It doesn’t get used up or burned. It simply changes state — liquid to gas and back again. If levels are low, the system is leaking. Period. 👉 Learn more about our Air Conditioning Repair in Peachtree City page. ❄️ Part 4: Why Honest Repairs Beat “Top-Offs” Unfortunately, some HVAC companies keep homeowners stuck in the Freon myth. They’ll top off refrigerant year after year without fixing the actual leak. The Wrong Way: Refrigerant Top-Offs Quick cooling, but only temporary Repeated service calls = higher costs Worsening leaks that damage your compressor The Right Way: Leak Detection & Permanent Repair At John’s Heating, Cooling, and Appliance Repair, we: Use advanced tools to locate leaks. Repair the source of the problem. Recharge your system correctly. ✅ Results: Better cooling, lower bills, longer system life, and peace of mind. 👉 Check out our Air Conditioning Repair Fayetteville page to see how we do it right. 🌟 Why Experience Matters With over 28 years of hands-on HVAC and refrigeration expertise, John has solved every issue imaginable — from frozen coils and failed compressors to cracked heat exchangers and ductless installations. That’s why homeowners and businesses across South Metro Atlanta keep calling us back. We don’t believe in shortcuts. We believe in education, honesty, and lasting solutions. 👉 Explore more on our Air Conditioning Repair Newnan page. 📞 Call the Local Experts for Honest AC Repair Don’t let refrigerant myths drain your wallet or leave you sweating through another Georgia summer. Trust the team that’s been keeping families and businesses comfortable for nearly three decades. 📍 Serving Fayetteville , Peachtree City , Newnan , Sharpsburg , Senoia , Griffin , Tyrone , Zebulon, and South Metro Atlanta 📞 Call (678) 603-7775 today or schedule service online. ❓ FAQ: Freon, Leaks & AC Repair Does Freon wear out? No. If refrigerant levels are low, it means there’s a leak. How long does refrigerant last? The entire life of your system — unless it escapes. Can I add more refrigerant? Not without sealing the leak. Otherwise, it will just leak out again. What happens if I ignore a leak? Expect higher bills, poor cooling, and eventual compressor failure. ✅ Final Takeaway Refrigerant doesn’t wear out. If your AC is low, it’s leaking — and leaks require professional repair. At John’s Heating, Cooling, and Appliance Repair, we offer honest, long-lasting solutions that keep your system running efficiently and your family comfortable. 📞 Call (678) 603-7775 today — and put an end to the Freon myth once and for all.