Air conditioning is something that most of us take for granted these days. In fact, it’s hard to imagine living without it. But air conditioning still costs money, and throughout the course of a hot summer, that increased energy usage can really add up.
Also, having an air conditioning system installed is a big investment. You don’t want to have to pay for frequent costly repairs or have to replace your system too soon if you can help it. For all of those reasons, it’s a good idea to educate yourself with some air conditioning tips that can save you money and keep your equipment functioning for longer.
The Right Kind
First of all, it’s important that you get the right type of air conditioning system for your home. One of the main reasons that there are so many types of air conditioning systems is that they’re each appropriate for a different situation. For instance, if you’re trying to cool a large house, window mounted or even smaller split systems probably won’t get the job done.
On the other hand, cooling a large apartment or smaller home doesn’t require a huge central air conditioning system. Matching the type of system to the setting will provide you with a more comfortable and cost effective system over time. It also will allow the system to last longer because you won’t be putting too great a strain on a system that’s not equipped to deal with such a large cooling load.
The Right Size
And even when you know what type of system is appropriate, you’ll still need to determine what size air conditioning system you need. Professional air conditioning technicians have the experience necessary to help inform your decision.
An air conditioner that’s too big for the space it’s cooling will have to switch on and off too often, causing unnecessary wear and tear to the system. One that’s too small, on the other hand, will have to work too hard to get the job done. This will cause you to incur higher energy bills than you would if you had a system appropriately sized to the job.
Setting for Savings
Even when you have the right type and size of system, you can still save money by adjusting the settings on your thermostat. The typical setting for air conditioning tends to be 72°, but even raising the temperature by a couple of degrees can save you a ton on cooling costs. And with such a small increase, you’re not likely to notice the difference, particularly if you have a system that’s matched nicely to the size and specifications of your home.
Keep it Clean
Debris and sediment will collect on certain parts of your air conditioner over time. Unless it is dealt with, this can impact the performance of your air conditioner and cause other problems requiring repair. Completing periodic cleaning of your air conditioner’s coils will help greatly to improve efficiency. You can either do this yourself or hire a professional service to complete a thorough maintenance inspection and cleaning.
Get a Tune Up
Having AC maintenance service performed is probably the single best way to get the most out of your air conditioning system. With the annual system inspection, cleaning and tune-ups you’ll know that your system is operating correctly and as efficiently as possible.
Professional maintenance ensures that all of the parts of your air conditioning system are operating properly and that none are showing abnormal wear and tear. We can also replace parts that are nearing the end of their productive life before they actually cause a problem. With this type of service, you can be confident that your air conditioning system will continue to function efficiently for many years to come.
