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Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Tips To Improve Air Conditioning Efficiency

By Patricia Jones


Ever wondered how much your HVAC unit costs to run each month? If you're like most homeowners, this ranges between 40 and 50 percent of what you spend on utilities. Granted, it's no surprise that anything that's as complicated as air conditioning Laredo can consume so much energy. On the other hand, it's beyond obvious that raising your equipment's efficiency by just a tiny fraction can make a big difference in your finances.

There's a good reason why HVAC professionals stress the need to make sure air ducts are properly sealed. Not only does this streamline the flow of air, but it also makes the equipment run smoother as well. Keeping your ducts devoid of openings will require regular inspections for leaks. Duct tape can be used as a temporary fix, but be sure to have these areas addressed during your biannual tune-ups.

While it's true that shading your condenser can increase its efficiency, this needs to go hand-in-hand with maximizing airflow in its proximity. This leaves a hedge as the only suitable solution, but only as long as its kept at least 5 feet away from the condenser as well. On the same vein, make sure to get rid of other items within this area. Dusting the unit's housing will also be crucial in optimizing airflow.

Air filters might not be as complicated as other constituents of a HVAC, but this doesn't discount their importance nevertheless. The accumulation of dirt on these components degrades their performance and, by extension, that of the entire system as well. This can be avoided by spending more time and money on filter replacement, of course paying attention to your system's manual.

While the most obvious reaction to a hot day would be to lower your thermostat, this only drives up your AC energy consumption. You're better off staying within a reasonable range of the temperature outside instead. Turning the thermostat up by a single degree will raise efficiency by about 9%, and the difference in comfort will hardly be noticeable.

The seemingly-high cost of scheduling 2 check-ups a year is one that will pay off handsomely over the lifespan of your equipment. Scheduling these visits to fall at the end of each spring and autumn means the unit will be in its best shape when it's most active. Besides maintaining its peak efficiency, this will also minimize the likelihood of a catastrophic breakdown during winter/summer.

Simple as they might seem, fans paired with your HVAC setup can save you energy year round. All you need is several of these devices installed in the right areas to circulate air through the building. This will shrink the time it takes to achieve whole-house comfort, as well as the energy spent in doing so.

It wouldn't be enough to discuss efficiency without highlighting the role of technological advancements in the same. An upgrade always carries the potential to minimize energy consumption while enhancing comfort, at least in theory. That aside, a replacement could also be necessitated by a significant change in the structure of your home. Just be sure to do your homework before making the investment.




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