Ways to Make Your A/C More Economical

No homeowner likes to see a high energy bill, yet air conditioning consumes anywhere from 12 to 70 percent of a home’s energy output and annual costs.

Rather than hold off cooling your home to benefit your wallet, consider making your air conditioning system more economical.

Why You’re Seeing Increased Costs

The spike you see in your bill could be seasonal or correlate with one of the following:

• Your system frequently cycles between on and off.
• Your system drips or forms ice on the exterior, a sign of part damage or an old filter.
• You notice strange sounds coming from your unit.

Addressing Your HVAC System

Improve your system’s functionality and reduce costs through the following steps.

Cleaning and Unblocking the Vents

Accumulated debris or furniture blocking the vents can decrease the efficiency of your air conditioning. Generally, the vents need to be cleaned:

• If you spot dirt, dust and pet hair on the exterior.
• Debris is blocking or accumulating in the ducts.
• You can’t ever recall vacuuming them.

Change the Filter

Filters only last so long before they become clogged with debris. When air is unable to circulate freely, the clogged filter starts to impact your home’s indoor air quality and causes the system to work harder.

Overheating and costly repairs could be the result. To combat this, replace the filter at the start of the season and check it once a month.

You Leave the Windows and Doors Open

As a general rule, do not leave windows or doors open while running an air conditioning unit. This arrangement can cause the system to work harder to cool your living spaces. In the process, you don’t feel the full benefits of your A/C but see a higher bill anyway.

Even if you keep windows and doors closed, leaks may also let outside air in. As one solution, close curtains during the day when warm air is more likely to pass through.

Clean the Condenser Unit

If your home has an outdoor air conditioning unit, leaves and other debris may have accumulated during the fall season and remained there throughout winter. Leaving the debris not only decreases efficiency but can also cause the system to overheat. To start the spring season, have your outdoor unit professionally cleaned.

Watch What You Keep Near the Thermostat

Your thermostat’s location plays a key role in its operation and how often it signals your system to cool your home. Keeping it near appliances, a window facing the sun or a light source can prevent it from correctly reading the temperature. In spring and summer, your home may appear overly warm and frequently trigger the air conditioning system when it’s unnecessary.

Leaks in the Attic and Ducts

These areas of your home are rarely frequented and often invisible. Yet that doesn’t mean leaks are not present, allowing air to escape and causing your system to work harder.

To prevent this, have your attic and crawlspace surveyed for leaks and have them fixed early in the spring. Similarly, have the ductwork reviewed for any holes or damage.

Clean the Drain Line

Whenever you spot a leak from your air conditioning system, this sign goes back to the drain line and cooling coil. When the drain line experiences a clog, moisture can accumulate and your air conditioning system ends up working harder in the process.

Opt for Zoning and Temperature Control

Do you really need to cool your attic, unfinished basement or unoccupied guest rooms? Chances are that several rooms in your home don’t need to be cooled at any given time.

For this reason, zoning has grown in popularity. Offering a customized approach to cooling, home zoning brings cool air to regularly used spaces and bypasses those that are rarely frequented.

A programmable thermostat lets you adjust your home’s temperature based on its usage. For instance, there’s no reason to constantly cool your home when you’re at the office during the day.

Utilizing the Ceiling Fan

The air conditioning system and ceiling fans can work together. As the air conditioning unit generates cool air, the ceiling fan helps circulate it around your home. The result is a comfortable temperature and more energy savings during the season.

Check the System’s Size

Bigger doesn’t always mean better when it comes to air conditioning. A larger unit can deliver more air than you need and consumes more power than one more reasonably sized. Yet, something too small ends up working overtime to cool a larger space and often fails sooner.

Schedule in Maintenance

At least once a year, schedule an appointment with an HVAC technician to have your air conditioning system assessed. This may entail replacing the filter, parts or removing debris to allow the system to run more efficiently throughout the season.
 
Are you looking to schedule maintenance or service to address an issue? Have the HVAC technicians at MJ Fahy & Sons thoroughly assess your system before the humidity and high temperatures of summer arrive. To learn more about what we can do, contact us today.