Air conditioning systems are a must for most homes and businesses in hot climates, but they can be expensive to run all year round. Even if you’re only using your air conditioning during the hottest days of summer, it could still cost you hundreds of dollars per year.
Fortunately, there are some ways to reduce your energy costs and make sure your AC lasts for many summers to come. Reducing your energy usage and extending the life of your air conditioning system are both important factors in reducing your utility bills.
Luckily, both of these things can be done with minimal effort and an investment that will pay off quickly. This blog post covers everything you need to know about maintaining and replacing your air conditioner to save money on cooling costs.
Maintaining Your AC
The first step to keeping your air conditioner running efficiently is to perform a thorough inspection of the unit. During this inspection, you should check for leaks, corrosion, and clogs in the system that could be causing reduced cooling efficiency and higher energy usage.
If you find any problems, you should schedule an Air Conditioner Tune Up as soon as possible, so the issues do not cause more serious damage. You can perform some of the smaller maintenance jobs yourself, but you should contact a professional if you notice anything unusual or are unsure how to proceed. Your air conditioner is a major appliance that uses a significant amount of electricity, so keeping it in good working order will save you money on your bills and extend its life.
Cooling systems need regular maintenance, and there are several things you can do to extend their lifespan and get the most out of them. First, be sure to change your air filters at least once a year, especially if you have pets or allergies in the house.
Second, be on the lookout for corrosion in the system and have it cleaned as soon as you notice it. Third, clean your coils regularly to remove dirt and debris that can reduce the efficiency of your system and clog up the work.
Change Your Filters
The air filter is what cleans the air before it goes into your house and the cooling system. If the filter is dirty, it can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner and make it work harder, which means you’ll end up spending more money on it. Fortunately, most air conditioners have easily accessible filters that you can change on your own when they get dirty.
You should change them once every three months or whenever they look very dirty. Most filters are inexpensive and can be purchased at any hardware store. You can also clean your filters if they’re not too dirty, but make sure to do so before they get full. You should also clean or change the ducts that carry air throughout your house.
Dirty ducts can reduce airflow and increase energy use. Make sure to clean the ducts every couple of years to keep your system working efficiently. You can hire a professional or learn how to do it yourself.
Tune-up and Repair Check-Up
An annual tune-up and repair check-up can help you identify problems before they become major issues that cost a lot of money to fix. During this check-up, a professional will inspect your cooling system, identify any potential problems, and make recommendations for repair if needed. You should schedule this check-up at the beginning of every cooling season.
Most service providers will also perform a thorough cleaning of your system while they’re inspecting it. Cleaning the system will help it run more efficiently and can reduce your electricity bills. Many air conditioning companies also offer maintenance plans that will allow you to defer the cost of repairs until after the cooling season.
This can be a good option if you don’t have the money for the repairs upfront. Just be sure to compare repair costs with the cost of the maintenance plan to make sure the plan is worth it.
Annual servicing and check-up
Air conditioners are complex pieces of machinery that need regular maintenance to keep them running efficiently. They also put out a lot of dust and allergens, which can be harmful if you don’t clean them regularly.
Annual servicing and thorough cleaning of your cooling system can help keep your AC running smoothly and efficiently for years. During the annual service, an HVAC technician will inspect the entire cooling system to make sure it’s in good working order.
They’ll look for signs of wear and tear and clean any dirt or debris from the system. They’ll also check the motor and compressor and make sure they’re in good condition. If they find any issues, they can make repairs while they’re at it, so you don’t have to worry about the problems getting worse.
Rotating your Air Conditioning Coils
The coils in your air conditioner are responsible for transferring heat away from the inside of your house and outside to the outside unit. They are always warm, even when the AC is off. However, frequent use and the warm environment inside the house will cause them to warm up quickly.
This rapid warming and cooling can lead to early wear and tear and reduce the efficiency of your cooling system. A great way to reduce the amount of wear and tear on your coils is to rotate your air conditioning system regularly.
You can do this by setting your thermostat to a lower temperature for a few hours each day and then switching it back to its regular temperature again when you go to bed or leave for work. You can also set your thermostat to turn off during the day when you’re not at home.
Installing a New Air Conditioning System
If your system is old and you’re experiencing frequent breakdowns and repairs, it may be time to replace it. Replacing your old AC with a new, energy-efficient unit can significantly reduce your cooling costs by up to 40%. And installing a new system doesn’t have to be expensive.
There are many financing options available if you don’t have the cash upfront. Installing a new AC system can be expensive, but it’s an investment that will pay off in the long run. New systems last much longer than old systems and often come with warranties.
You can also choose to extend the life of your old system by installing a new cooling unit. These units can be installed outside or inside the house and provide some cooling relief without replacing the whole system.
Key Takeaway
Air conditioning systems are a must for most homes and businesses in hot climates. They can be expensive to run all year round, though, even if you’re only using your AC during the hottest days of summer.
Fortunately, there are some ways to reduce your energy costs and make sure your AC lasts for many summers to come. This includes maintaining your AC, changing your filters, doing a tune-up and repair check-up, rotating your air conditioning coils, and installing a new air conditioning system.
