How to Reduce Your AC Bills
If your current air conditioning system is over 10 years old, it may be time to start looking for a new one. Even if it is working well, an old system may be extracting only 60% of the available heat from the fuel used to heat your house (newer fuel-efficient heating systems use as much as 90%).
Routine maintenance can help extend the life of your system, helping it operate at its rated capacity for longer. Much of the maintenance that is required to keep your unit up to snuff is inexpensive and easy to perform.
Easy Steps, Big Results
The first step is to make routine inspections of your unit to discover any potential problems. Check all hoses for leaks and make sure the condensate tube is draining freely. The best time to perform any air conditioner maintenance is before it is needed.
Filters are critical to the proper and economical operation of the air conditioning unit. They should be inspected often and changed or cleaned monthly. This is even more important during the summer months when there is a higher level of dust and pollutants in the air and, of course, the units are running more frequently. Other methods of ensuring maximum airflow through the system include cleaning and vacuuming of the registers and air vents. You should also ensure that furniture and drapes are not blocking registers.
The outside compressor should be cleaned with a hose. Plantings should be kept at least a foot away, and grass and weeds should be trimmed to ensure adequate airflow around the unit. Remove any debris from the fan area.
You can also increase the life of your air conditioner by finding ways to decrease its use. Programmable thermostats can regulate temperature to decrease use at night or when the house is vacant. Simple things like ceiling fans or attic ventilation fans can reduce the demand on the air conditioner. Even planting trees to increase shade or using drapes over windows facing the sun can help. Reduction of use combined with proper maintenance can increase the life span of any air conditioner.
A yearly tune up of your air conditioner by a certified technician can cost between $50 and $100 but can result in as much as a five percent reduction in yearly operating costs.
