Efficiency is a hot topic in our line of work. People love the convenience of central air conditioning, but the cost of ownership is tough to offset. Thankfully, your local air conditioning and heating technicians know just what to do to make your air conditioner run more efficiently, reducing monthly costs.
Read on for some of our best tips for air conditioner efficiency, and call our team if it’s time for an air conditioning upgrade.
#1: Clean Your System
First, it’s important to clean your air conditioner’s outside coil regularly. Many people don’t know that this one simple annual task can keep their air conditioners running at their most efficient throughout the season. The heat exchange process is essential to refrigeration, and dirt on the coil blocks heat from moving the way it’s supposed to.
This coil is located in the outdoor cabinet of the compressor unit. We don’t expect everyone to have the tools and skills necessary to clean their own coil, and we highly recommend you have a technician do this once a year instead.
#2: Turn Up the Temperature
Here’s an easy one: turn up the temperature a bit! Most people are comfortable with higher temperatures than they may think, and you can always save money if you raise the temperature before you leave the house. If this is too difficult to remember, we don’t blame you, but a programmable thermostat can do wonders.
#3: Cool the House Naturally
Sometimes, the way to improve the efficiency of your air conditioner has nothing to do with the system itself. You use your air conditioner less, thereby improving home efficiency and reducing your bills, when you cool the home by, say, opening your windows in the evening. Throughout the day, close blinds and curtains and keep hot appliances (like the clothes dryer and dishwasher) off in the day.
#4: Use a Better Air Conditioner
We know it’s not realistic for everyone, but here’s the thing: your older air conditioner is costing you. Although it may seem as though you save money by delaying an upgrade, those monthly bills can be quite a drag.
This is true for air conditioners of about 10-15 years of age and all window units or portable air conditioners, no matter the age. Window units and portable air conditioners are not efficient, as they are simply not designed to utilize energy in the same way as a new central unit sized for your home. Once you upgrade to central AC or a ductless unit, you’ll be glad you did!
#5: Make Timely Repairs
Notice a problem with your air conditioner? Don’t hold off on getting the repairs your system needs. The more you try to run it with a broken component, the more it will cost you in energy bills. Even the smallest of problems can use up a lot of electricity, so call a technician for repairs as soon as you notice trouble!
Bartels Heating & Cooling installs and services air conditioners in Mason, OH. Contact our team today.