Are you aware that your air conditioner could be wasting hundreds of dollars per year? With energy costs rising more than 28% since 2019, there has never been a better time to ensure your AC is efficient.
After all, an inefficient system will cost you even more to operate. The good news is that this article will teach you proven ways for improving efficiency and reducing your overall energy expenses.
How Your Air Conditioner Impacts Your Energy Bill
Approximately 19% of your home’s total energy usage comes from your AC. If you want your AC to be as efficient as possible, it’s critical to avoid dirty filters, clogged coils, etc. It’s also vital to remember that purchasing a bigger AC will only provide better cooling if you’ve purchased the right size for your home.
What Happens During an AC Tune-Up (And Why It Matters)
Getting regular tune-ups is the best way to ensure better efficiency, reduced repair bills and an improved lifespan. Let’s take a look at each step of a tune-up, along with why it matters.
- AC filter change – Provides improved airflow and less strain on your AC.
- Coil cleaning – Offers an efficient heat exchange, which improves AC efficiency.
- Refrigerant check – Keeps your cooling cycle working properly.
- Electrical and motor inspection – Prevents unexpected breakdowns.
- Thermostat calibration – Avoids over-cooling your home.
- Ductwork check – Stops your home from losing cold air.
13 Proven Ways AC Maintenance Cuts Energy Costs
Now, it’s time to dive into the 13 proven ways that AC maintenance will reduce your energy costs. You’ll also experience more comfort and efficient cooling.
1. Prevents Airflow Blockages
Any airflow blockages will increase your energy consumption, reduce efficiency and potentially even cause damage to your air conditioner.
2. Reduces Run-Time Cycles
You’ll need to ensure your thermostat is set correctly, have proper insulation, clean your air filters and schedule regular preventative maintenance to reduce your run-time cycles. As a result, you’ll experience improved efficiency.
3. Optimizes Refrigerant Levels
Identify the right refrigerant levels for your AC and be sure to maintain them. Otherwise, your efficiency will go down, which means your energy bills will go up.
4. Keeps Motors and Fans Friction-Free
Lubrication is critical for proper AC operations. Fortunately, getting regular tune-ups includes lubricating your AC’s motors and fans.
5. Prevents Overheating and Short Cycling
Regular preventative maintenance is a proven way to prevent your unit from short cycling and overheating. This is achieved by ensuring proper airflow, along with ensuring optimal HVAC operation.
6. Keeps Thermostats Accurate
Over time, it’s definitely possible for your thermostat to become less accurate. However, by relying on professional tune-ups, you’ll know that your thermostat is still accurate. Although it might not seem like much, this one tip provides improved efficiency.
7. Catches Small Issues Before They Spike Your Power Usage
Even a tiny issue that hasn’t made itself known yet may have the power to spike your power usage. Fortunately, regular tune-ups can prevent these small issues from becoming costly repairs later on. Additionally, catching these tiny issues will keep your AC more efficient.
8. Avoids Frozen Coils and Compressor Overload
Frozen coils often lead to compressor overload. The main factor that causes this to happen is poor airflow, which then causes overheating. Avoid these issues through regular preventative maintenance.
9. Protects from Leaky Ducts
If you’ve got a leaky duct, you’re also dealing with increased energy consumption and reduced airflow. This problem might not be visible, but a professional tune-up will easily identify it.
10. Ensures Drainage Systems Don’t Trigger Inefficiencies
Your HVAC’s drainage system is vitally important to keep it running efficiently. If a problem develops, you’ll experience an increase in humidity, along with a reduced cooling performance. Be sure your drainage system is checked at least once a year.
11. Maintains Steady Temperature Output
Preventative maintenance will ensure your AC maintains a steady temperature output. This will provide increased efficiency and comfort for your family and guests.
12. Reduces Humidity Load (Lower Energy Needs)
Having a properly operational AC has been proven to reduce humidity load, which will make your home feel much cooler. Even if your AC can’t get rid of all the humidity, it will certainly help.
13. Helps You Size Future Upgrades Appropriately
Finally, having a professional perform regular preventative maintenance will provide some much-needed insight for future upgrades. Be sure to ask the HVAC expert if you’ve got the proper size AC for your home.
Real-Life Numbers: How Much Can You Save?
Getting an annual tune-up will run you approximately $70 to $200, depending on what’s included. Fortunately, you can pay for your tune-up by using the money you’ll save on energy costs.
Per ENERGY STAR, you can improve efficiency by up to 15% with regular tune-ups. For instance, a 3-ton AC will run much more efficiently with annual tune-ups, and it’ll also make you more comfortable. Or, if you decide not to get regular tune-ups, you could face thousands of dollars for an emergency repair.
How Often Should You Schedule Maintenance?
As you’ve learned in this article, it’s imperative to get a tune-up at least once a year. However, living in Florida exposes you to a very hot climate, so it’s better to get a tune-up twice a year. Therefore, use your spring tune-up to ensure your AC is ready for summer, and your fall tune-up to prepare for winter.
Signs your AC is overdue for maintenance include:
- Weak airflow
- Unpleasant odors
- Frequent cycling
- High energy bills
- Water leaks
Bonus: Other Tips to Cut Cooling Costs
Here are five additional tips that can bring your energy costs down:
- Smart thermostat programming
- Ceiling fans for circulation
- Shading the condenser unit
- Weather-sealing and insulation
- Regular AC filter replacements (monthly in high-use periods)
What Most Homeowners Miss (That Costs Them)
There are four areas that most homeowners forget to pay attention to. Keep this in mind to reduce your energy costs even more:
- Check for dirty ductwork
- Check attic insulation
- Remember your condensate drain maintenance
- Don’t skip your annual maintenance to avoid voiding your warranty
Turn to One Hour Jacksonville
By having your AC maintained at least once a year, although twice is better, you can save a lot of money. After all, having a professional inspect and tune-up your AC will dramatically cut down on serious repairs. In other words, it’s critical to think of preventative maintenance as an ROI positive thing to do, rather than just an option.
When you need your AC taken care of, reach out to the professional HVAC experts at One Hour Jacksonville. We’ve been helping people just like you save money on their energy expenses for almost 30 years. Plus, we’re always on time or you don’t pay a dime!