Tips and Tricks for Lowering the AC Bill
Having air conditioning is great, but it does bring up a few more complications. The biggest one being what to do about the monthly energy bill. It’s not that having an increased energy bill is unexpected, but an AC bill running slightly higher than budget is something no one wants.
Luckily, there’s hope. There are several ways that any homeowner can lower their AC bill and a couple of them can even be done right now.
Change the Air Filter
Efficiency issues can easily be caused directly by a dirty and clogged air filter. A dirty air filter forces the air conditioner to work harder just to perform the basic functions of pulling in air. This can lead to problems like short-cycling, freezing coils, and low air-flow. In any instance where the AC must work longer and harder to cool the home, the higher the energy bills at the end of the month.
Keep in mind, however, that replacing the air filter doesn’t mean the end of all air conditioning troubles. It’s a good place to start, though.
Try Energy-Saving Strategies
When it gets hot, there will be a strong temptation to crank up the AC. After all, what’s the point of an AC if not to turn the home into an icebox? In actuality, people are fully capable of adapting to comfort levels without having to drop the temperature so low.
Homeowners should try running their air conditioner at a temperature as close to the outdoor temperature as possible. A good starting point is about 78°F. Running the AC at this temperature prevents it from having to work too hard, meaning more savings in the long-run.
Smart and wireless thermostats will make it effortless to implement and stick to these energy-saving strategies.
Individual Room Control
Depending on the home’s current air conditioning setup, there are two different options that can significantly increase savings.
Zone control systems can make all the difference for homes with central air conditioning. In summary, they implement individual thermostats only in the rooms that need to be treated. Dampers in the ductwork are then controlled to direct airflow to these rooms based on the individual settings.
For ductless systems, the savings come from the system itself. These systems can be installed in all rooms or only a few, and each one can be individually controlled with a remote controlled thermostat.
In both scenarios, both systems allow full customization of airflow. They can control which rooms get cooling power, and when, meaning no more energy wasted on vacant rooms.
Maintenance
Above all, the best trick for lowering the AC bill is not a trick at all–it’s simply about keeping up to date on maintenance. Consistent and thorough maintenance from an expert ensures that all of the AC’s parts are in working order. Every problem that an AC can encounter can contribute to efficiency issues, no matter how small or unnoticeable the problem appears to be. Keeping up with maintenance is the easiest way to cover all the bases.
Start saving more on energy bills by talking to an expert on air conditioning in Eastchester, NY. Contact Yost & Campbell Heating, Cooling & Generators today.
