With temperatures rising and energy costs soaring, there are several steps you can take to cut the expenses of cooling your home this summer and controlling your energy costs, such as checking the SEER rating and scheduling annual maintenance to avoid unexpected expenses.
HVAC equipment uses more energy than any other appliance in your home. This inevitably shows up every month on the energy bill, but it’s important to know that energy costs can be controlled by doing the following:
Annual Maintenance
One step to control energy costs is to schedule annual maintenance checks, also called tune-ups, to make sure your unit is running efficiently. Most cooling systems require very little owner maintenance. However, operating dirty cooling equipment can result in an unnecessary loss of efficiency and unwanted breakdowns. You play a vital role in making sure your cooling system continues to operate at peak performance, especially during the dog days of summer.
High Efficiency Cooling Equipment
If you are in the market for a new cooling unit, consider purchasing a high efficiency model. They can help reduce your energy costs as well as conserve our natural resources.
SEER Rating
When selecting an air conditioner this summer, pay close attention to the SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). This is a measure of cooling efficiency for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the higher the savings. The minimum SEER rating is 10.
Zoning
Zoning can drastically lower your cooling and heating costs. With zoning, you no longer have to pay to cool or heat areas of your home that are rarely used. You won’t have to cool or heat the whole house just to make one room comfortable. Zoning divides your home into separate comfort areas, which are heated or cooled based on your needs.
Programmable Thermostats
Programmable or setback thermostats can make a big difference in energy consumption. These thermostats deliver maximum comfort, efficiency and energy savings. Programmable thermostats are used to achieve the temperatures you want through your home. For example, if you’re going to be away, you can set the whole house at an energy-saving temperature to avoid heating or cooling an empty house. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can program it to have your living areas comfortable when you arrive home.
Call Armstrong Plumbing, Air & Electric Today
For more information, call a reputable HVAC contractor at Armstrong. We can help you select the best equipment for your home with amazing SEER ratings and help you determine other potential energy saving areas.
