The cost of energy continues to be very high and volatile with not much relief in sight. If you are like most of us, you’re looking for ways to save money with your central AC system. Here are important steps you can take that will reduce your cooling costs by as much as 50% or more.
1. Have your central AC system thoroughly cleaned and maintained. If you haven’t maintained your central air conditioning system, it may be running 25% less efficiently than it should. If you’ve got a 12 SEER air conditioner that would be equivalent to it running as efficiently as a 9 SEER unit. The outside coil as well as the coil inside the furnace or air handler can accumulate dust, dirt, yard debris, pet hair and more that will make it harder to get rid of heat or transfer cool air, robbing the system of efficiency.
Schedule an appointment for an air conditioning contractor to clean and maintain the system. He will check the refrigerant level because a system with too little refrigerant will also be inefficient. The blower motor will be serviced and adjusted for optimal efficiency as well. This type of preventative maintenance will reduce the likelihood of costly repairs.
2. Make your home more energy-efficient so the AC doesn’t have to work as hard. Add a layer of insulation to your attic if you haven’t done that already. Seal windows and doors with weather-stripping. Seal exposed duct work with metal duct tape or quality mastic. These are relatively inexpensive ways to save money with your central AC system.
3. If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with a more efficient model. Models in the 14-18 SEER range are very affordable and they will cut your cooling costs noticeably. In addition, as central air conditioners age, they run less efficiently and have more repair needs that can be very expensive. You might do better putting money into a new system rather than repairing and old system.
4. The simplest one of all – close your drapes! By allowing the sun to come into your home during the day you are allowing it to heat things up. Which your air conditioner then in turn cools back down. If you close your drapes when the sun is shining much of that heat and energy never makes its way into your house.
Do some research online to find central AC reviews that give an impartial perspective on the central air conditioners available. Look for reviews that describe the strengths and weaknesses of each model, how efficient they are, their performance features, their costs, etc. They will help you decide which one is right for your home.
Conclusion
Getting energy costs under control is very important with today’s out of control energy prices. These 3 steps will make your current system more efficient, will reduce energy waste in your home, or will put a new, high-efficiency system in your home. They are the most effective ways to save money with your central AC system and the sooner you take these steps, the sooner you will reduce your utility bills.