Heating and cooling are two of the largest bills for any household. Ensuring the energy efficiency of your new AC installation is one of the best ways to save on your energy bills. You can make some simple steps when selecting, installing, and maintaining your new AC that can add up to significant savings over its lifetime.
Choose an Energy-Efficient AC Installation
Different models and brands of air conditioners vary in their energy efficiency. Many factors contribute to this, but there’s a simple system for determining how efficient a model will be. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is a grading system for appliances that gauges energy efficiency.
For new AC installation, SEER will range from 13 to 21. A score of 21 means your new AC is the most efficient it can be. Newer models have much higher SEER ratings than older models, so a new AC installation is always an excellent choice for older units.
That should be among the most significant factors when choosing your AC. Even a minor improvement in efficiency can lead to huge savings over the years you will have your AC.
Keep Up with Maintenance
Even the most energy-efficient AC on the market will slowly become less efficient if maintenance is ignored. Proper upkeep is critical to ensure:
- Optimal cooling
- Temperature distribution
- Energy efficiency
- Limiting breakdowns and necessary repairs
The most uncomplicated maintenance for your AC is changing the air filter as needed. A dirty filter creates a pressure drop across the air conditioner that takes additional energy to overcome and reduces cooling efficiency.
Getting regular tune-ups from an HVAC professional is a convenient way to maintain your AC system. These tune-ups include verifying electrical components, lubricating moving parts, and inspecting the refrigerant system.
Coils naturally build up dirt over time so that a thorough cleaning can improve efficiency. The inspection will also catch any problems before they become worse, saving you money on both cooling costs and repairs.
Making the Most of Your Thermostat
The thermostat plays a critical role in cooling energy efficiency. Quite simply, it tells your AC when to turn on. If it’s telling it to turn on too often, you’re wasting energy. If it doesn’t turn on enough, you’re not getting enough cooling.
Today, programmable thermostats make it easy to save energy by scheduling your home’s cooling. You can automatically set your thermostat to allow for hotter temperatures during the day while you’re at work.
These thermostats also allow you to set a slightly higher temperature during sleeping hours. That might seem counterintuitive, but if you set the AC to reduce cooling while you’re already asleep, you won’t notice.
Calibration and placement are also critical for proper thermostat operation. If your thermostat is in direct sunlight, it will always say that it’s too hot and turn up the AC. If it’s directly beside the AC, it will always say it’s too cold and turn the AC off prematurely.
Ensuring your thermostat is giving accurate and reliable readings will save on cooling costs while keeping your home reliably comfortable.
Ensure Your Ducts Are Sealed
For central cooling systems, duct losses can be among the most substantial drains on your AC system. Even in an average home without significant problems, up to 20% of the air moving through ducts can get “lost” (in other words, wasted). Sealing ducts properly ensures that your cooled air is getting where it’s supposed to go.
That can be true for ductless systems as well, as their shorter conduits also require seals. For an AC system, air that isn’t entering the room is wasted and costs you more on your utility bills.
Insulate Your Home
Many homes do not have adequate insulation. This case is common in areas with mild winters that do not face the same urgency to insulate their homes thoroughly. Insulation isn’t just for heating—it affects cooling, as well.
Your home’s exterior wall and attic insulation—or lack thereof—will determine how quickly your home heats up on hot summer days. With better insulation, your home will have a reduced cooling load and require less energy to maintain the same temperatures.
AC Installation in Derry, NH
The team at Paul The Plumber can provide you with reliable and energy-efficient AC installation near me. We only work with quality brands that can deliver optimal results. For any of your AC installation, repair, or maintenance needs, you can contact us today for your quote.
