How to Reduce Costs With Your Conditioner
Air conditioners are indispensable appliances in most households. In regions where the weather can be extreme, it can be the difference between being comfortable at home or not. Despite being almost a basic need in some places, ACs can be rather expensive too, as our energy bills tend to remind us. In this article, you’ll learn how to cool down your expenses with your air conditioner.
Freezing Costs
The good news is that you can do a lot to have a long and healthy relationship with your AC. Your part begins by making the right choices about models and installation. Before buying your next AC and rushing home to turn it on, look at the tips below. Alternatively, contact an AC Contractor in Tucson, AZ.
Choosing the Right Appliance
More isn’t always better when talking about AC sizes. It doesn’t matter if you’re going for a window unit, a portable unit, or a central system. Your AC doesn’t have more power than it’s enough to cool the room. Too-big units will spend energy unnecessarily. We recommend that you always go for ACs certified by Energy Star so that you’ll be sure it’s an efficient appliance.
Pre-Installation
Choosing the right place for your thermostat is as important as placing the unit correctly. If you place a thermostat where it’s overexposed to sunlight or other sources of heat, it can misread the temperature. It will lead to poor performance, malfunctions, and expensive bills.
Checking Room Insulation
A poorly insulated room can have a very negative impact on your AC’s performance. Gaps and cracks on windows and doors are usually to blame when your unit begins to overwork. A better-insulated room can keep the temperature for much longer, resulting in less energy consumption.
Basic Maintenance
Many homeowners completely forget about their ACs after it’s been installed. They only remember such an appliance exists when it starts malfunctioning or bullying your wallet. Don’t be like them. Basic maintenance done right can save you money and a lot of trouble.
Your unit is made of several parts, each requiring a different type of maintenance. Filters are surely the most important of them all. Filters must be cleaned or replaced often, even more so in a house which has pets. A clogged filter will make your unit work harder and, more importantly, endanger your health.
Audits
We recommend that you consider getting home audited for energy efficiency; maybe you’re spending more than you need. Some energy companies offer this service for free, but you can also hire an independent one. Alternatively, you can run your own audit. You can do it by going outside the house, looking for gaps or cracks through which cool air might be escaping, and caulking around them.
Repair vs. Replace
When does repairing get more expensive than replacing? The first sign is age; your appliance won’t last forever. A well-preserved unit can last from 10 to 15 years. You may need to call a professional once or twice during this time. However, you’ll also notice differences in airflow and overall performance, even when filters and other parts are fine. Your energy bill will promptly resent it and might need constant repair. Then, it’s time to replace it.
Chilling Out
Don’t spend a dime more than needed to when it comes to your ACs. Make sure you’re buying a unit that meets your expectations and is appropriate to your room size. You can do most of the maintenance yourself. Filters are easy to clean and replace, and fins and coils can be sorted with simple tools that you can find in any specialized shop.
