Tips and Tricks
10 Tips For Improving Air Conditioner Efficiency This Summer
You may be looking towards another hot summer with just a little bit of trepidation. Sure, your air conditioning will keep you cool, but you’ll suffer when you’re writing the check to pay the monthly utility bill. But there are some concrete steps you can take to improve the efficiency of your overall system and save some cash. Some of these can be achieved with simple changes in behavior while others may require you to enlist professional help. But all are effective at making your air conditioner operate more efficiently as the temperature rises.
1- HAVE YOUR UNIT SERVICED BEFORE THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER HITS
One of the best steps you can take is to get on the phone and schedule an appointment to have your system checked by your local HVAC professionals. A checkup by trained professionals will uncover any underlying performance issues that may be impeding the proper operation of your system. In addition, regular servicing will extend the life of your air conditioning system and save you money over the long haul. Contact us at Team Enoch to set up an appointment to check your air conditioning system.
2- CLEAN AROUND YOUR OUTDOOR UNITS
The outdoor units of your system require free and clear circulation of air to operate at peak efficiency. If your system is blocked by debris or vegetation, it will have to work much harder than it will if the area is kept clear. Rake away any piles of leaves from the winter, and cut back tall grass, shrubs, or weeds that may have grown up around the unit. Keeping the area clear will make your system more efficient (and your home will look better too).
3- UPGRADE THE INSULATION IN YOUR ATTIC AND WALLS
Insulation doesn’t just keep you warm in the winter. It will also help keep your home cooler in the summer by keeping the cool air in. If the insulation in your attic and walls is deficient, the energy you use to cool your home will be quickly radiated outside. As a result, your system will have to work harder than it needs to keep your home cool.
4- INSULATE YOUR DUCTWORK
Do you have any exposed ducts in your garage, basement, or utility room? If you do, the cool air in the ducts will warm up before it gets to where you need it. By adding insulation around these exposed ducts your system will be more efficient. This can make a big difference in your summertime heating bills.
5- INSTALL CEILING FANS
6- KEEP INDOOR VENTS CLEAR AND CLEAN
The vents of your HVAC system perform the important role of distributing cool air throughout your home. If your vents are blocked by furniture or other impediments, they’ll block the air you’re counting on to keep you cool, causing you to run your air conditioner more than you’ll need to. It’s also a smart idea to vacuum out your vents or, even better, have your ducts professionally cleaned to ensure that air can flow freely through your air conditioning system.
7- INSTALL A SMART THERMOSTAT
A smart way to lower energy costs is to not run your system when you don’t need it. You can adjust your thermostat manually by setting the temperature higher before you leave for work in the morning and then turning it down at night. But a smarter way to make your thermostat work for you is to replace your old thermostat with a new smart thermostat. Smart thermostats can adjust the temperature automatically according to a set schedule, and even raise or lower the temperature when it detects the absence or presence of people in the house. And if you connect your smart thermostat to your WIFI system, you can even adjust the temperature remotely from your smartphone.
8- CLOSE CURTAINS AND BLINDS DURING THE DAY
The power of the sun can warm your home quickly during the hot summer months. And the interior of your home will warm up more quickly if you don’t block the radiation of the sun from entering your home easily. Make it a habit to close the curtains or blinds when the sun is shining on that side of your home.
9- SWITCH INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS TO COOLER LED BULBS
Old fashioned incandescent light bulbs can produce surprising amounts of heat. New LED models are not only much more energy efficient but also produce much less heat. By reducing the amount of heat that’s produced within the home, you’ll put less stress on your air conditioning system during the heat of the day.
10- AVOID USING HEAT PRODUCING APPLIANCES DURING THE DAY
Large appliances, particularly driers, dishwashers, and ovens are big heat producers. Any heat that’s produced by these appliances must be cooled by your home’s air conditioning. If you run these appliances during the day, when temperatures are high, you’ll add additional stress and workload on your system. Set up a schedule so that you run these appliances when the sun is down and your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard.
BONUS TIP- UPGRADE YOUR EQUIPMENT
The US Department of Energy estimates that many households can save at least 20% on home cooling costs by replacing an older, less efficient air conditioner with a newer, high-efficiency unit. In addition, you may be able to save significantly on cooling costs by adding multi-split air conditioning units to allow individualized temperature control of different rooms in the home.
Additionally ONCOR is offering up to $3000 in rebates to replace your old HVAC unit with a New High Energy Efficient HVAC Unit until June 2020. There is no better time to upgrade your HVAC unit, if you qualify, You can get a new unit for as low as $75/month. 10 Tips For Improving Air Conditioner Efficiency This Summer
If you have questions about how these and other options may help save you money, contact us at Team Enoch and we’ll be happy to discuss what equipment will be best for you.
Read the US Department Energy’s “A Guide to Energy-Efficient
Heating and Cooling”
The Little Things Add Up
Give some of these tips a try this summer and see how they work for you. Small changes, taken together, can make a significant change in the energy you’ll need to use for cooling. And not only will you save money, but you’ll also enjoy a home that’s more comfortable as well. If you’re considering a major upgrade to your AC, contact us at Team Enoch. Estimates are always free!
