During the summer months many people complain about the high electric bills when they use their A/C units. The compressor, which is the heart of the A/C system, consumes more energy than any other appliance in the home. The key is to minimize its running time without compromising comfort.
Some simple solutions on lowering electric costs are:
- Planting shade trees on the west and south side of the house.
- Windows facing west and south should have blinds or shades.
- Have regular hvac maintenance on your equipment to maintain peak efficiency.
- Hose down condenser when you see debris build up.
- During a heat wave, don’t turn off the A/C at night or when leaving the house for the day. It will take longer to cool down once the heat level rises in the home.
- Check furnace filter monthly.
- If equipment is 10-15 years old, consider upgrading to a higher efficient A/C unit. You could cut your electric bill up to 50% of the A/C usage.
- If the A/C has been running for 30-45 minutes and the comfort level has not improved, turn unit off and call for service.
- Blocking solar gain from entering your home is the key to improving indoor comfort and cutting your energy consumption.
For answers to other top HVAC questions, check out our Heating & Cooling FAQs!
