Do AC units use a lot of electricity?
Why should you consider buying an energy efficient air conditioner? Well, summer is quickly approaching, and many homeowners already dread that rise in the electric bill that comes with a constantly running air conditioner. Some of those same homeowners are wondering if it may be worth upgrading to an energy efficient air conditioner unit now. Maybe it will save some money this summer, o should you be considering this expenditure this spring? Keep reading as we answer common questions and provide helpful information:
Central HVAC system is an energy hog, especially when running the air conditioner part of the system. The average home air conditioning uses the most electricity, from 16% of total electricity to 70% in warmer climates. The best and easiest way to minimize that expense is to run the air conditioner less and set the thermostat up a degree or two higher. Even with the highest energy efficient air conditioners, the higher the thermostat setting and the less you run it at all, the cheaper it will be on your electrical bill.
Is it cheaper to run central AC or window units?
The cooling and heating of your home can take up to 50% of your budget every month. With summer coming, you already know a lot of that expense will cool costs, especially if the kids are home all day. So, before summer settles in, maybe you need to consider getting an energy efficient air conditioner?
You may replace your central air conditioning with window units, and what the air conditioner energy efficiency ratio between the two methods is the best. It is important to find a method to cool your home with a method that is air conditioning energy efficient. Besides energy efficient air conditioners, homeowners want convenience and easy operation for the HVAC system.
That is where the programmable thermostats on the market today are a big part of the energy efficient air conditioner shopping. These thermostats allow you to set the temperature to fluctuate with various times of day and night. Window unit air conditioners today come with an EnergySaver option that will only turn the air conditioning (or heat) on when it senses the room temperature isn’t where the thermostat is set. It turns on the cooling feature or heating feature accordingly.
Comfort is another motive for upgrading to a newer energy efficient air conditioner too. The newer the system, the more it will keep the temperature at an even point all through the house. With the EnergySaver option mentioned above, window units can keep the temperature more consistent throughout the house, but each room may still feel a little cooler or warmer than other rooms. However, with window units, you can turn off a unit to one room that isn’t being used.
Can a faulty thermostat cause a high electric bill?
If your electric bill reached extraordinarily high numbers last summer, making you dread the upcoming summer, try replacing your thermostat first. Even with the highest energy efficient air conditioners, a thermostat can begin to malfunction as it wears out. Fortunately, air conditioners don’t go out as often!
Thermostat manufacturers don’t give an expected exact lifespan on the units, but on average, they last around ten years. On average, you can expect them to last at least 10 years. After 10 years they may begin to malfunction from dust accumulating and wiring getting brittle.
When this happens, they aren’t able to detect the temperature properly in the house and cut off and on frequently or don’t turn off or on. Even with a brand-new energy efficient air conditioner installed, if the thermostat is old, you will not get the most from your new unit.
At what temperature AC consumes less power?
The ideal air condition thermostat setting is 72 degrees Fahrenheit. For every degree you have that, your energy efficient air conditioner unit will use as much as four percent less power. By lowering the temperature setpoint, the compressor runs longer to achieve that temperature.
Even after purchasing a new energy efficient air conditioner, the biggest, most frequently asked question is “How can I reduce my AC electricity bill?” especially after getting those skyrocket high bills during the summer. As we have covered earlier, the air conditioner is the biggest power consumption in your home. Here are 5 things you can do that will help ease that electric bill this summer:
- Go One Up: Raising the thermostat from 71 to 72 really won’t make that much difference in the room, but it will take less electricity because the unit won’t be running as much.
- Program A Smart Thermostat: A smart thermostat is only as smart as you tell it to be. Buying one and installing it will not automatically lower your electric bill. Learn how to work the unit and when you’re not home, set the thermostat at a higher temperature during the summer so that it isn’t cooling an empty house.
- Keep the Air Flowing Clean: When the air conditioning ducts and filters are dirty, it blocks the air from flowing through as intended, making the HVAC unit work harder. The harder it works, the more electricity it takes.
- Regular Professional Maintenance: A professional air conditioning technician can see what you can’t in an air conditioning unit. They will clean components that you can’t reach, repair any electrical connections, and replace worn parts, all of which will make the unit run more efficiently.
- Insulation Keeps Things Cool: You’ll get more out of your energy efficient air conditioner when you have updated the insulation in your attic. It will also help during the winter and keep the heat inside!
Need energy efficient air conditioner installation in Orange, CA? Call the experts at Elite HVAC at (714) 464-6622 today!