In the hot and humid climate of Florida, one major expense borne by the majority of the people is the cooling expense. Due to heat and humidity, the air conditioners run for long hours, so high energy bills are taken for granted. But did you know that you can lower your utility bills without compromising your comfort? Do you want to know how? Simply by improving your air conditioner’s efficiency.
How To Improve The Air Conditioner’s Efficiency
There are several things that one can do to improve the efficiency of their air conditioner. The good thing is that none of these requires too much effort. Even those with no to basic knowledge about the air conditioner can easily perform them. So here’s all that you can do to make your AC more efficient:
1. Annual Maintenance Is A Must – Annual maintenance of the AC has to be done. The more time you do it, the greater are the benefits. It makes the AC more reliable and also helps recover a large portion of the lost efficiency. No, it will not make the cooling system function like a brand new one. Instead, it will reclaim most of the efficiency that was lost because of wear and tear that happens due to continuous use. So, where your unit was down to 70% efficiency, it will pick up to 90% to 95% of the original efficiency.
2. Change The Air Filters Frequently – Air filters trap the impurities that are suspended in the air. If the filters are not changed, they become AC clogged with dust and debris, making it difficult for the air to pass through. When the flow or sir becomes restricted, the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner drops. But that is not all. It also puts a lot of strain on the unit, which is not good for its well-being. Changing the air filters as frequently as once a month will ensure that they do not become clogged.
3. Use The Ceiling Fan – Most homes have ceiling fans, and yet people don’t use them. Did you know that using them can increase the efficiency of your HVAC system? Switching on the ceiling fan will make the air circulate better. In this way, your home will cool faster and reduce the workload on the AC. In turn, the AC now has to work less to achieve the same amount of cooling.
4. Pay Attention To The Direction In Which The Ceiling Fan Moves – Switching on the ceiling fan is not enough. The direction in which the fan moves plays a big role in how fast your home cools or becomes warm. In summers, the ceiling fan should rotate counterclockwise. This motion creates a windchill effect by moving the air in a downward direction towards where we sit, sleep, and move.
5. Use Smart Thermostat – If you are still using the traditional thermostat, its time to upgrade to a modern one. Today’s thermostats are programmable and can save you tons of effort of manually changing the thermostat setting every time you come and go. There are times when you will forget to do that resulting in a lot of power wastage. Smart thermostats are not only programmable but also intuitive. They have inbuilt sensors to gauge when the building is occupied and when not. Accordingly, it adjusts the temperature, keeping into account your preference. Smart thermostats can help you save 10% on heating costs and 15% in cooling costs, close to $130 annually.
6. Learn To Use The Smart Thermostat Optimally – Having a smart thermostat is no good if you are unable to use it. Learning it may seem like a daunting task, but the more you use it, the easier it becomes to make its optimal use. With a plethora of inbuilt features like the energy consumption mode and program presets, you can learn about your home’s energy consumption and program it better to maximize savings.
7. Use Good Quality Insulation Throughout – The quality of insulation throughout the home is usually not consistent. At places like the basement and the attic, it is indeed quite poor. The result is that the cool air escapes from these places and allows warmth to permeate the home. Good quality insulation, on the other hand, will not let the cold air escape. This will keep the indoors cooler for longer and so make for a more efficient cooling system.
8. Add Ventilation To Attic – The attics are extremely hot and humid, especially in Florida. Adding ventilation to it will allow the hot air to escape. When the attic is cool, the space below it, which is the living area, also remains cool, reducing the need for the AC to run longer and harder.
9. Keep The Vents Open – Many times, the vents are blocked unintentionally. Sometimes it may happen due to shifting around of furniture and appliances and at other times by accident. Some homeowners close the vents intentionally, assuming that it will lead to power savings. That is just a misconception. Closing the vents intentionally or otherwise puts tremendous strain on the cooling unit, which diminishes its efficiency.
10. Do Not Decrease The Temperature Drastically – When you come in from outdoors, you are all hot and bothered. Even the home feels warm. The next thing you do is reduce the temperature by 5 degrees or more, expecting the home to cool faster. Reducing the temperature too much will not cool the home faster. It will cool the house at the same speed. All that it will do is run longer to achieve the lowe temperature. This will lead to more energy consumption and reduce the air conditioner’s efficiency.
Concluding Thoughts
Improving the air conditioner’s efficiency does not mean spending too much money. One can achieve it by following some simple steps like AC maintenance, changing the air filters, using the ceiling fans, and keeping the vents open.
If you are on the look-out for ways to improve the efficiency of your air conditioner, give a call to the air experts at Aztil Air Conditioning. We are an HVAC firm operating in West Palm Beach, Florida. Our elite team of trained and experienced technicians can also take care of your HVAC system’s installation, repair, and maintenance. Since we are open 24/7, you need not wait for an appropriate time to book an appointment. We also provide emergency services, so there is no need to suffer any longer. Simply pick your phone and give us a call at +1-888-729-8452.
