Concerned About Cooling Costs? 3 Tips to Slash Your Energy Bill

As you probably know, there are dozens of things in the home that generate heat. People, lights, and washers/dryers all play a part in inching up a house’s heating and cooling usage—which is responsible for nearly half of all energy consumption in the average American home. If your energy bill has you fretting, the answer may lie in the air conditioner unit.

Traditional Ductwork: An Energy Vampire

Before you dive into AC repair or upgrades, consider the state of your ductwork. If you have five $20 bills in your pocket, odds are you don’t want to take two of those Jacksons and rip them in half—but if your residential cooling system uses traditional ductwork, that’s exactly what you’re doing. Your AC company will tell you that traditional ductwork can waste as much as 40% of the energy it inputs, which means it wastes just as much of your money.

Ask your local AC company if ductless systems are the right equipment fit for your home. Ductless mini split systems prevent air leakage that traditional setups allow, and ductless systems also use compressors that will slow down or speed up in response to the needs of the home—traditional air conditioning units consume large amounts of energy during the compressor startup alone.

High Efficiency Air Conditioning Units Are a Good Investment

Since 66% of all U.S. houses use an air conditioning unit, it comes as no surprise that cooling costs the nation more than $11 billion annually. It may be a good idea to upgrade your system to shrink those cooling costs for your home. More and more AC companies are urging their users to upgrade to any modern air conditioning units, which use up to 50% less energy than the same systems made decades ago, which softens the financial blows of venting and cooling.

If you proceed with purchasing a new air conditioning unit, choose the most trusted air conditioning companies. The best air conditioning companies will know where to best place the new system; units should be located where no objects will block the unit’s airflow and where its noise won’t disturb you or your neighbors.

You may have considered only replacing your system’s compressor and, while upgrading to a newer and more efficient compressor may provide you with some of the savings you want, the compressor must be compatible with the system and ductwork in the home. A new compressor and dated, traditional ductwork are still expelling energy and jacking up your cooling costs, so if you’re upgrading part of the system, you won’t be able to maximize the AC unless the parts are compatible.
Make An AC Maintenance Plan

Not sold on a complete air conditioning unit upgrade? That’s okay—regular unit maintenance can keep the system running as efficiently as possible. The most vulnerable and important part of your air conditioner to take care of is the filter. Hair, dirt, and other debris will obstruct airflow and decimate the system’s efficiency. Filters are generally located somewhere in the return duct, and should be replaced at least every two months, or more frequently if the air conditioning unit is heavily used.

Your AC company and its technicians and dedicated professionals can provide the most regular and preventative maintenance to your unit. Technicians can check for leaks, failing parts, or costly debris buildup. While filters require frequent attention, the AC’s other parts can usually be checked on yearly to keep money out of your energy bill and in your pocket.