Learning About Commercial Air Conditioning Units

3 Cool Tips To Reduce Your Soaring Air Conditioning Costs

5 June 2023

Floyd Carroll

When you think of summer, what comes to mind? If you're a glass-half-full kind of person, you're probably thinking of those relaxing days chilling out on the beach. On the other hand, you might be a little more pessimistic, so you may think of sweaty nights and climbing air conditioning costs. Unfortunately, air conditioning is necessary for the summer in many parts of the country. 

The good news is that you don't have to choose between being uncomfortable or spending a fortune on your air conditioning bills. These three tips will help you enjoy the summer and keep your home cool while preventing your budget from suffering a meltdown.

1. Understand Your Thermostat

Setting your thermostat to a warmer temperature during the summer is a surefire way to reduce your cooling bills. However, understanding your thermostat (and air conditioning system) works can also help you control utility costs. Contrary to popular belief, a lower temperature on your thermostat won't cool your home any faster or cause colder air to come from your vents.

Most air conditioning systems are single-stage, which means they operate at one speed and one temperature. Your thermostat setting is your desired interior temperature and effectively controls how long your AC runs. If you notice your air conditioner running excessively long, turning your thermostat up a few degrees can substantially reduce run time and cut your AC bills.

2. Keep Up With Maintenance

A well-maintained air conditioning system will cost less to operate. The biggest maintenance factors impacting efficiency are typically airflow and coil efficiency. Your air conditioner's manufacturer designed the system with a specific airflow rate in mind, and a clogged or dirty filter can severely degrade performance. Changing your filters as often as necessary will help keep costs down.

The coil efficiency is another major concern. Your evaporator (indoor) coils must be clean to efficiently transfer heat from your home's air, while your condenser (outdoor) coils must be clean to release that heat into the environment. You can clean your condenser coils yourself, but cleaning the evaporator coils can be more challenging and typically require an annual HVAC service visit.

3. Replace Aging Systems

A central air conditioning system should last about twenty years, especially if well-maintained. Consistent, high-quality maintenance may extend this life span even further. However, older systems are typically much less efficient than more modern ones, and repair costs may increase as your system ages. These factors can add up to a higher operating cost once your system is beyond the 20-year mark.

Contact a local air conditioning service to learn more.

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