Of course, you want your AC unit to cool your home and keep you comfortable throughout the long, hot summer, but does that mean you have to pay outrageous utility bills every month? Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and crank that AC up, but most of your daily activities can be adapted for money and energy savings.
Barker Heating & Cooling is committed to helping you achieve the efficiency and comfort you desire in your home. That includes informing you of some everyday things you can do to increase your AC efficiency as well as giving you options for a more efficient air conditioning system.
Steps To Increase Your AC Efficiency
The physical AC unit in your home is the main factor that affects how well your air is regulated. Luckily, there are other parts of your home that can be changed temporarily to allow your AC to face less of a struggle – especially in those hot summer months.
Clean Your Air Filters
Dirty air filters can block airflow and transfer dirt and dust to your evaporator coils, causing them to work less efficiently. Cleaning or changing your air filters is an important and easy step to take every few months to ensure your unit is operating properly.
Let Your Fan Work For You
Ceiling fans are not their own source of cool air, but they use a wind chill effect to make your home’s air feel colder than it is. This means that you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher than you’d like your home to feel, and the fans fill in the gap. You lose no comfort and save energy and money on your AC usage.
Set The Thermostat And Leave It Alone
Don’t keep changing your thermostat up and down because you feel it’s not working. Set the thermostat and be patient to allow it to work properly. This is when the use of fans comes in handy as well!
Control The Heat Entering Your Home
Sunlight through your windows can be a huge source of extra heat working against your air conditioner. Consider closing blinds and curtains or installing sun shades on your highest sun exposure windows to help your AC keep the air cool.
Schedule Preventative Maintenance
An AC tune-up in the spring is the best way to prepare your AC unit for the summer heat waves. After a professional has analyzed and tuned your system for maximum efficiency, you will see improvements in the comfort of your home and the efficiency of your unit during the summer months.
Energy-Efficient AC Alternatives
If you have the capacity to invest in higher efficiency systems, it could make a big difference in your energy consumption. New technologies allow for more accurate temperature control, lower energy usage and more adaptable cooling systems.
For example, ductless AC systems save energy by eliminating inefficient duct passageways. They also use zone-cooling technology to cool specific parts of your home as opposed to the entire thing at once. Whole-house temperature zoning could completely change the way you use energy and cause a significant reduction in your utility bills.
Looking For More Efficient AC Practices?
If you have questions about your AC’s efficiency, don’t hesitate to depend on Barker Heating & Cooling. We offer premier Bravos valley AC services to every single one of our customers to make sure they are both comfortable and saving energy. If you’re ready to see higher efficiency in your home, give us a call!
