Air conditioning accounts for about 20% of the average household’s annual energy expenditures in Montana, and electricity isn’t getting cheaper. This also means that AC is the number one contributor to the carbon footprint of U.S. homes. Let’s explore the top tips for staying comfortable while using less energy and spending less money.
Schedule a Spring HVAC Tune-Up
ACs experience significant wear and tear throughout a cooling season. That includes a buildup of grime on the evaporator and condenser coils. Left unattended, that crud acts like an insulator that makes the exchange of heat energy less efficient. There’s also a compressor pump and blower to lubricate, and many other parts that require maintenance. Ideally, you should schedule AC maintenance every spring before turning your cooling system on. You may want to consider our maintenance plan for savings, convenience, and many additional perks.
Clean and Seal Your Ducts
Homeowners should schedule a duct camera inspection every other year. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends duct cleaning every three to five years. We can show you the dust buildup on the monitor, and you can decide if you need our technicians to remove it. That accumulation can get severe enough to increase static pressure and decrease efficiency. A duct inspection will also reveal issues that can cause air leakage, such as worn seals. Leakage can increase energy usage by 25%-40%, and duct sealing can mostly eliminate that loss.
Choose the Right HVAC Filter
A high-quality pleated filter will help keep your AC clean and efficient. Good filtration also promotes better indoor air quality. That said, be careful to avoid increasing static air pressure too much and undermining the system’s efficiency. The industry rates HVAC filters with the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). The higher the MERV rating, the better the filtration, but don’t use a rating beyond what your AC supports. Most modern ACs support between MERV 8 and 13.
Replace Your HVAC Filter Regularly
Did you know that continuing to use a clogged filter can elevate static pressure? It can increase your cooling costs, cause irregular cycling, and eventually lead to frozen coils. To avoid this problem, check your filter at least once a month and replace it as needed. You’ll know because you’ll hear a whistling sound or be able to see the dust buildup on the outer surface. Note that if you have a ductless mini-split, you may have a washable filter. You should clean those filters twice a month and replace them once a year.
Use a Whole-House Fan Before Using Your AC
Many households rely entirely on passive ventilation when it gets hot out. That’s not good for air quality, and the solution may be to install a whole-house fan. The other advantage of mechanical ventilation is that it can significantly cool a home at a lower cost than an AC. While you can’t rely on it all summer long, it can delay when you need to start using your AC by weeks.
HRVs and ERVs Provide Ventilation All Summer Long
Once you start running your AC, you’ll need to turn your whole-house fan off. That is, unless you opt for an advanced whole-house fan instead. Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) are whole-house fans that can precool or even preheat the fresh air coming into the home. An alternative is an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). ERVs are similar to HRVs but can also add and remove moisture. That can help to lower relative humidity (RH) throughout the summer.
Benefit From Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can be a big help with cooling efficiency. That’s why many experts recommend installing them in all rooms where they’re practical. Ceiling fans help in several ways. They make you feel cooler through the wind chill effect. Ceiling fans also help to improve circulation and even out the cool air throughout a home. Just be sure to set them correctly for the summer, which is the highest fan speed and counterclockwise fan rotation.
Invest in a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
The Department of Energy (DOE) advises using a programmable thermostat to lower cooling costs. It estimates that the average home can reduce costs by up to 10% annually. Smart thermostats are programmable thermostats with Wi-Fi capabilities and other advanced features. Many of those features can help you save even more. Machine learning can help to optimize cycles and schedules. Energy monitoring can reveal potential efficiency improvements. Thermostats with rate awareness can help you avoid high usage during peak periods.
Run a Dehumidifier
Some dehumidification is a byproduct of cooling your home, but an AC isn’t a dehumidifier. A whole-house dehumidifier will lower RH by extracting moisture from the air. A lower RH makes you comfortable at a higher temperature. In other words, a dehumidifier may let you turn the thermostat up by several degrees. In addition, a whole-home system functions ahead of the AC. That means your AC doesn’t have to work as hard, which lowers energy consumption.
Close Your Blinds
Direct sunlight can heat up a room by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s essential to close blinds and curtains as much as possible during the day. There are blackout shades and other window treatments that can absorb heat. You may also want to explore smart blinds, which can open and close automatically on a schedule or via smart thermostat input.
Take Care With Exhaust Fans
It’s important to use exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms, but you have to be careful in summer. Overuse can significantly undermine your cooling efficiency. Upgrade to ENERGY STAR exhaust fans if possible and avoid running them for periods longer than 20 minutes.
Upgrade Your Cooling System
When it’s time to upgrade with a new AC installation and related HVAC equipment, look for the ENERGY STAR label. Those models are less expensive to run and may make you eligible for rebates and other energy incentives. Look for the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) as well. The higher the SEER rating, the less energy the system will use. Heat pumps are a viable alternative. They’re just as efficient at cooling and can improve heating efficiency, too. Another consideration is zone control. The DOE estimates it can lower the energy use of a central AC by as much as 30% annually.
Other Considerations
A tight building envelope can greatly enhance cooling efficiency, while a loose one can significantly undermine it. If you’re unsure, consider a home energy audit. That will reveal the steps to take for weatherization. Possibilities include sealing the home and adding and upgrading insulation.
Energy-Efficient Cooling Installations Since 1945
Central Heating & Air Conditioning is an HVAC company based in Billings, MT, and we’ve been serving the surrounding region for over 80 years. Our technicians install, maintain, and repair all cooling technologies. We are a proud Lennox Premier Dealer and Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Contractor, but we work with all AC brands.
You can count on us for ancillary equipment, including ventilation systems and dehumidifiers. Our company offers a maintenance plan and around-the-clock air conditioning services for emergencies. For installations, we provide free estimates and financing on approved credit. Contact us today to schedule an in-home installation consultation.
Contact Central Heating & Air Conditioning today!
