Summer is awesome, but the sky-high electric bills from constantly running your air conditioning are not. It’s probably no surprise that A/C units are responsible for most utility costs during warmer months. But there are a few effective ways to increase an air conditioner’s efficiency to bring down your electric bill.
While turning up the thermostat or sealing your doors and windows are apparent go-tos, there are some other ways to make your A/C work better.
Condenser Maintenance
Did you know that cleaning the outside unit (the condenser) can help? You can clean the outside but leave the more detailed cleaning to professionals so that you don’t damage components.
Be sure debris and objects aren’t blocking it so air can circulate. Also, providing shade over your condenser can bring down your bills. Harsh sunlight can make the system work harder in the same way direct sunlight can cause your thermostat to register higher temps.
Replace Components
If you call a professional for help cleaning the condenser, ask them to inspect all your system's parts inside the condenser and evaporator as well.
While replacing the air filter is another maintenance task you can easily do yourself, an HVAC pro can check the more intricate parts like the compressor. And if you have a noisy unit that vibrates or rattles, you can even ask them about the benefits of installing an expansion joint to make your unit run better and quieter.
Install Zoning Systems
Some rooms become hotter than others at different times of day, and you might try to control your A/C efficiency by opening and closing registers in certain rooms of your home. But don't do that. Shutting off airflow to some areas can adversely affect your air conditioner and could even cause severe damage.
To achieve this effect without damaging your system, you can install zoning systems. These systems use dampers in your ductwork to control airflow and send it to different rooms in your home.
While it’s still wise to do the little things like covering and sealing windows, thinking outside the box will give you even more effective ways to increase an air conditioner’s efficiency and save money!
