Though you can’t control the weather this summer, you can do something about energy costs, helping you stay comfortable regardless of what the thermometer says. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that half the amount you spend on utilities annually goes toward conditioning your home, but by tending to the equipment, you can ensure that it runs more efficiently.
- Check the A/C air filter monthly. When it’s dirty, change or clean it. The air filter is one of the most important parts of your cooling system. Too much collected dust and other debris on the filter retards airflow, making the system run longer to reach the thermostat settings. Not only do your energy bills go up, the longer running time increases w
ear on all its parts, resulting in premature breakdowns. If too much dust builds inside the blower, the evaporator coil for the cooling system can freeze over, which may lead to serious consequences for the compressor. - Keep the area around the outdoor condenser clean to lower energy costs. Heat the refrigerant picks up from your home goes through the coils inside the condenser and anything that blocks the air flowing over the coils slows the cooling process. Make sure that no one puts anything near or on top of the condenser.
- Have an HVAC professional service your system annually. The DOE reports that annual maintenance can shave up to 25 percent off your cooling costs. The technician will:
- Check the refrigerant level;
- Clean the evaporator and condenser coils;
- Test ducts for leakage;
- Lubricate the electrical components and motors;
- Clean the drain pan and drainpipe; and
- Verify that the thermostat is working properly.
- Install a programmable thermostat. Setting the temperature to 82 degrees when you’re away will significantly reduce electrical consumption. Smart thermostats let you change the settings remotely to accommodate scheduling changes.
If you would like more information about reducing energy costs through routine maintenance and adjustment of your cooling system, please contact us at Geisel Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We’ve provided top-notch HVAC services in the Greater Cleveland area for more than 75 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Cleveland, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy costs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
For those Do it Yourselfers who would rather take control of your own indoor comfort, you can shop our online store for replacement parts, products and accessories!
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