House and Home
How To Make Your Air Conditioner More Energy-Efficient
Summertime means lots of fun in the sun, but it can also mean blistering hot temperatures outside. Depending on where you live, your air conditioner could get quite a workout during the summer months as you try to beat the heat. As a result, you’ll want to ensure that you maintain your system regularly. Proper AC maintenance and care are essential for consistent, cool indoor temperatures all summer long.
The worst time to discover your AC not cooling house is on a hot summer day. However, if you encounter this issue, there could be a few simple fixes. From dirty air filters and leaky doors to older units, there are many reasons why your AC isn’t cooling your home. Let’s take a look at some ways you can make sure your air conditioner is more energy-efficient and cooling your home properly.
Ensure your windows and doors are properly sealed.
A common misconception is that air conditioners are energy hogs. But with a few simple tweaks, you can make your air conditioner more efficient and save money on your energy bill. The first step is to make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed. A good indicator of leaky doors and windows is inconsistent indoor temperatures. If the cold air is escaping through windows and doors, your air conditioner will struggle to maintain your desired temperature.
Check your air conditioner’s SEER rating.
Air conditioners that are over 10 years old are likely much less energy-efficient than newer models. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) measures how efficient an air conditioner is in cooling your home. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the air conditioner. It’s critical to learn more about which SEER rating is good for your home, based on a range of factors like how much you use your air con and where your home is located. Most air conditioners sold today have a SEER rating of 13 or 14. If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it may have a SEER rating of 10 or less. You can improve the energy efficiency of your air conditioner by upgrading to a newer model. The upfront cost to upgrade your unit might be a little higher. However, your energy bills will be much lower, and you will save money in the long run.
Get a programmable thermostat.
Your thermostat is the director of your HVAC operations and is responsible for cooling and heating. If you’re looking for ways to improve your AC energy efficiency, you may want to consider getting a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat is a great way to save energy because you can set it to automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on your schedule. For example, you can set it to cool your home down before you get home from work. Instead of a traditional thermostat that is either off or on, a programmable thermostat can adjust the temperatures in your home when you need it. Maintaining a schedule with a programmable thermostat will make your air conditioning more efficient as it will only be in use when you need it.
Clean air filters regularly.
The air filters in your home are responsible for catching pollen, dirt, dust, and other indoor allergens and debris and preventing them from circulating throughout your home. It is suggested that you change your air filters at least every three months. If you’re not sure how to do this yourself or are unable to, then calling professionals that offer a thorough air conditioner service would be a good idea. They’ll be able to perform a full service of your system to ensure it’s running properly, as well as clear out any blocked up air filters. A clogged air filter will prevent adequate airflow and can cause your HVAC system to work harder than necessary. As a result, your energy bills may skyrocket, and your equipment will not cool efficiently. Clean air filters for your home will help your system run more efficiently and smoothly, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature all year long.
There are a few things you can do to ensure that your air conditioner is cooling more efficiently and providing you with the best possible cooling experience. Aside from the discussed steps, the best thing you can do for your air conditioner is to schedule regular maintenance before the summer cooling season. Proper maintenance and care will ensure that your AC is working at peak performance.
We should also remember to clean air ducts in our homes. It can drastically improve AC system efficiency. As ducts become clogged, less air gets through. That means your AC system is forced to work harder in order to make your house comfortable. And, of course, that leads to higher energy bills.
I see you’ve mentioned how important it is to change air filters regularly — that’s great. But be careful when choosing a new filter for your AC. Filters with a MERV rating higher than 13 restricts airflow, which could make your AC system work harder and consume more energy. The best MERV rating for a home is somewhere between 7-12. These filters will improve indoor air quality without increasing energy consumption and blasting your system.
Speaking of SEER rating — please remember to check new efficiency standards for HVAC systems in 2023 — the minimum SEER rating has increased.
Thank you for the reminder! I only want to add that new minimum efficiency requirements differ in northern and southern states.
In this article, you can find a map and find out “your minimum”: https://polestarplumbing.com/news-media/upcoming-changes-of-efficiency-standards-for-hvac-systems.
Yeah, a smart thermostat is actually a good thing! To program it correctly, you can use these cooling and heating schedule samples: https://www.dashservice.com/save-energy.
Thank you for sharing these tips. By the way, if you have central air conditioning, you should also remember about air duct cleaning. Cleaning dirty ducts improves the efficiency of HVAC systems.
You made a good point about sealing windows. However, replacing your windows with newer energy-efficient options might be a better solution if your windows are old. Double-glazed steel windows with a non-conducting frame material are worth consideration.
Yes, clean filters are crucial for energy-efficient AC performance. However, other things like cleaning the coils, clearing the clutter around air vents, and unclogging the condensate drain tube should also be kept in mind. Regular AC tune-up can save you up to 15% on your power bill each month.
One more thing that will help your AC do its work more efficiently is letting your unit run when you leave your house in the morning. It may seem counterintuitive, however, by setting your air conditioner at a sensible 72 degrees before you leave for the day, you will be able to come home to a comfortable house without having to crank the AC as low as it goes as soon as you step through the door. This will allow your system to work less hard and help you reduce air conditioning costs.
Yes, regular air conditioner maintenancecan greatly improve its efficiency. In addition, I suggest using ceiling fans and shading your windows to reduce your reliance on AC and further decrease energy usage. By implementing these strategies, you can create a more eco-friendly home while also saving money.
One additional tip to consider is shading your outdoor unit. Placing it in a shaded area or installing outdoor shading devices can help the AC operate more efficiently by reducing the heat load on the unit and allowing it to cool your home more effectively. This can lead to further energy savings during hot summer months.
To boost your air conditioner’s energy efficiency, start by cleaning or replacing filters regularly. Keep the system well-maintained with annual check-ups. Utilize programmable thermostats, seal any leaks in ducts or windows, and consider upgrading to newer, more energy-efficient models for better performance. Ducted AC
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