According to data collected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air conditioners consume 6% of the total electricity generated across the country. Cooling systems are installed in more than 85% of American homes, and they often represent the highest costs on electricity bills.
While it is reasonable to anticipate higher bills during the summer months, they should not skyrocket and drain your budget. There are simple and effective ways to reduce your AC costs without sacrificing comfort — you just need to adopt established practices that boost energy efficiency.
Installing Smart Thermostats
Investing in a smart thermostat is one of the most effective ways to lower AC costs. These advanced control devices use algorithms, sensors, and programmable workflows to adjust your home’s temperature while learning the indoor climate preferences in your household.
In their default configurations and settings, smart thermostats automatically adjust the HVAC system to maximize energy efficiency, thus keeping electricity consumption in check. Some smart thermostat models offer additional features such as remote control, voice control, and remote access through mobile devices when they are connected to home automation networks.
You can easily monitor energy consumption, set schedules, and adjust settings from your smartphone or tablet. An internet-connected smart home automation system is not a prerequisite for upgrading your thermostat; many are available for legacy HVAC systems.
Upgrading Your Home Cooling System
Do you know the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of your air conditioner? This is a measurement of how efficient your cooling system can be during the summer months. Higher SEER ratings will improve the efficiency of your system, thus promoting savings on your monthly bills. For example, a system with a SEER rating of 15 is five times more efficient than one with a SEER rating of 10.
Modern HVAC systems are designed to operate more efficiently and provide better temperature control with their improved design and smart thermostats. Among the new Carrier mini-split systems, for example, you can get SEER ratings as high as 42.
Scheduling Maintenance and Service Calls
Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your HVAC system running efficiently and preventing exorbitant electricity bills. When many of our clients contact us after receiving shocking power bills, we often learn that their systems lacked proper maintenance. Dirty evaporator and condenser coils, for example, reduce efficiency because the system will have a harder time absorbing heat from your home and transferring it outside.
Maintenance calls are crucial to ensure your AC system is not leaking refrigerant or running under strain because its moving parts are not properly lubricated. In many cases, we can help you lower your monthly bills after a single maintenance visit.
For all your air conditioning maintenance and repair needs in Helena, MT, contact our team at Big Sky Plumbing & Heating.