Increase AC Performance and Decrease Cooling Costs With Regular Maintenance
TL;DR: In Georgia’s scorching summers, your AC works hard, but inefficient systems can spike electricity bills. Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your AC running smoothly and costs down. Factors like dirty filters, leaking ducts, or aging equipment can reduce efficiency. Maintenance prevents expensive repairs, improves system performance, and extends its lifespan. Simple tasks like cleaning filters, sealing ducts, and upgrading thermostats can significantly reduce cooling costs. Trust Gee Heating and Air in Flowery Branch for expert AC check-ups to keep your system efficient and your bills low.
Summers in Georgia can get pretty intense, and with temperatures rising each year, your AC must work overtime to keep your home cool. This increase in usage naturally leads to a spike in your electricity consumption. Considering that the price of electricity in Georgia hovers around 13.73¢ per KWh, this can add a hefty sum to your monthly expenses.
Heating and cooling account for about 46% of your electricity bill. If your AC is not running optimally, it will consume even more energy to maintain a comfortable temperature in your house. That is where the importance of regular AC maintenance comes into play. By keeping your AC in good working order, you’re setting the stage for significant savings on your cooling costs. Let’s learn how AC maintenance lowers your cooling costs and keeps your bills in check during Georgia’s hot summers.
How Efficient Is Your AC Unit?
When trying to keep your home cool and comfortable, you first turn to your air conditioning system. However, not all ACs operate with the same efficiency. The efficiency of your AC affects how well it cools your home and how much you pay for that comfort.
So, how do you measure your AC’s efficiency? First, look into its SEER ratings. They measure the cooling your AC delivers per unit of energy consumed, with higher numbers indicating better efficiency. However, no matter how efficient the AC was when you first got it, it can degrade over time due to several factors, including:
- Lack of maintenance: Without routine checks, minor issues inside the AC can worsen, forcing it to work harder and use more energy to maintain the same level of cooling.
- Incorrect thermostat settings: Setting the thermostat too low to cool your house faster can lead to unnecessary strain and energy use, making your system less efficient.
- Aging equipment: As the AC ages, its components naturally wear out, and its efficiency can drop. That is a gradual process, but it means that older systems generally can’t match the efficiency of newer models, which can cut cooling costs in half.
- Blocked vents: They can restrict airflow and force your AC to work overtime, which is less than optimal for your energy bill.
- Leaking ducts: Leaks allow cool air to escape, meaning your AC can’t achieve your desired temperature.
- Dirty coils: These coils are responsible for transferring heat, and when covered in dirt and grime, their ability to do so efficiently decreases. That puts additional strain on the system, increasing the energy bills as the AC struggles to keep up.
How Regular Maintenance Affects AC Efficiency
You might not think about your air conditioning system until the sweltering heat of summer kicks in, and by then, you want it working at its best without any hiccups. A total AC replacement can cost up to $12,000, and regular maintenance means you don’t have to shell out for a new one anytime soon.
Besides, a handful of other perks come with keeping your AC well-maintained. From improved air quality in your home to lower energy bills, the benefits are hard to ignore.
Prevent Expensive Repairs
One of the most significant advantages of regular AC upkeep is catching and fixing problems before they become more expensive. Simple tasks like replacing worn-out parts or tightening loose connections can prevent your system from breaking down.
You can keep your maintenance costs manageable by avoiding the need for emergency repairs, which often come with a hefty price tag. Regular check-ups mean your AC technician can identify potential issues early on, saving you money and keeping your system running smoothly.
Improve System Performance
Another crucial aspect of regular maintenance is ensuring your AC system performs at its best. That involves cleaning the coils and filters, which regulate airflow and heat absorption. A clean system doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your space, leading to better efficiency. Additionally, checking and refilling refrigerant levels is essential for your AC to operate effectively.
Extend the Duration of Your AC
You reduce the likelihood of a complete system breakdown by keeping the AC running smoothly and addressing any issues promptly. That saves you from the inconvenience and expense of replacing your AC unit sooner than necessary and gets you the most out of your investment. Regular maintenance means your system can serve you well for many years, providing reliable cooling.
Specific Maintenance Actions and Their Impact on Cooling Costs
When looking at your monthly utility bills, you might notice that cooling your home during the summer months takes a big bite out of your budget. However, regular, proactive maintenance of your air conditioning system can play a significant role in reducing those costs.
There are several specific, manageable tasks you can do yourself to help optimize your AC’s energy use. These aren’t monumental tasks, but they can significantly affect your cooling costs when done regularly. Here’s more on each one:
Cleaning and Replacing Air Filters
The most effective way to improve your air conditioning system’s efficiency is to keep the air filters clean. Dirty filters restrict airflow, meaning the AC struggles more and increases energy use and costs.
A clean filter, on the other hand, allows for smooth airflow and lowers energy consumption by up to 15%. For most homes, checking your filters monthly and replacing or cleaning them every 90 days is a good rule of thumb. You must do this more frequently if you have pets or live in a high-pollen area.
Sealing Ductwork
Leaks or holes in your ductwork can significantly reduce your system’s efficiency by letting cool air out before it reaches its destination. Some studies show that even a 10% leak can reduce the AC’s performance by 30%. That means your AC has to run longer to cool your home, leading to higher energy use and costs.
You can identify leaks by feeling for drafts or using a smoke pencil around the seams and joints of your ductwork. Once you find a leak, sealing it with duct mastic or metal tape can substantially improve your system’s efficiency.
Thermostat Settings and Upgrades
Setting your thermostat to a comfortable temperature that saves energy is key. If you haven’t already, upgrade your old thermostat to a programmable one. These devices allow you to set your cooling system to operate only when necessary, preventing unnecessary energy use when you’re not home. The energy savings you’ll see over time offset the upfront cost of a smart thermostat, making it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to reduce their cooling costs.
Keep Your AC Bills And Worries Low
Regular AC maintenance impacts your electricity bills by keeping your system running efficiently. Giving your air conditioner timely tune-ups prevents minor issues from escalating into energy-consuming problems. Cleaning or replacing filters, checking refrigerant levels, and keeping the system free from debris allows your AC to operate smoothly, using less energy to cool your home.
Don’t wait for performance dips or skyrocketing bills to remind you about maintenance. Instead, lean on Gee Heating and Air in Flowery Branch, Georgia, for regular AC check-ups. Our experienced technicians can do more than just tell you how AC maintenance lowers your cooling costs – they can show it to you first-hand. So, call us or set up an appointment, and let’s take you back to saving money instead of wasting on energy bills.
Leave a Reply