When it comes time to turn on your central air conditioning, your budget often groans. The increased power consumption required to employ your air conditioner’s cooling power will often cause a rise in your electric bill, and every homeowner dreads the moment when the first one arrives.
Admittedly, there is no “perfect” air conditioning unit; even the most efficient air conditioner will still require a lot of electricity to keep the cool air flowing. However, any AC maintenance service in Washington DC can tell you that just because it’s not possible to eliminate your summer electric bill doesn’t mean it’s impossible to increase the energy efficiency of your air conditioning system.
Here are a few ways to maximize your AC unit’s cooling power without breaking the bank:
Change the Air Filter
At a baseline, AC systems are tasked with pumping cool air into your home and removing humidity. However, whenever an air conditioner is running, it’s often circulating air through ductwork or a system of vents. As a result, most modern air conditioners also remove dust, mold, and other debris from your home.
An efficient air conditioner requires that the air filter be clear of debris. The more stuff there is to clog your vents, the more likely it is that your air conditioner will need to work harder to manage the indoor air. And the harder your AC system needs to work, the more power it’s likely to consume.
Luckily, the fix is straightforward: by changing the air filter every month or two, you’ll end up making your home more energy-efficient without sacrificing your AC’s cooling power.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
If you want to have an efficient air conditioner, proper maintenance is the key to keeping it over the long term. Having a technician visit your home for regular inspections will help identify issues like leaky ductwork, low refrigerant, and other problems that will impact your air conditioner’s cooling power. By rectifying the issues early, you’ll be saving yourself a ton of money in the future because they won’t have a chance to worsen.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
Once you’re sure that your air conditioning system is as efficient as it can be, you should invest in a programmable thermostat. This upgrade enables you to set your home’s temperature to different levels depending on the time of day and when you’ll be occupying the space.
Since the most efficient air conditioner still consumes significant energy if it’s in operation, you can save money by minimizing the amount of time it’s running by having your thermostat automatically adjust to a higher temperature while you’re out. The higher the temperature, the less work your AC needs to put in, and the more money you save in the process.
To find out how to make your air conditioner more energy efficient or get a quote for HVAC repair services in Washington DC, call Magnolia today!