Can You Make Your Older AC System Run More Efficiently?
Homeowners in our area of the country know that at this time of year, energy bills can skyrocket. We might face several consecutive days or even weeks where temperatures will be above the 95 degree mark. It was just a few years ago that the temperature reached 100 degrees or more in the Huntsville area for 10 days straight!
Your air conditioner probably runs continuously during this time of year. If you have an older air conditioning system, it can use up even more energy because the parts are often worn down and outdated. On hot days where the temperature can reach 95 degrees or higher, it might take your AC unit until the wee hours of the morning (after midnight) to get your home back to the desired level. Your energy bills for this time of year will reflect the fact that your AC system doesn’t get to rest very often during this time of year.
Tips for getting the most out of your older AC system:
What can you do to make your older AC system run more efficiently? Our first suggestion is to use the thermostat responsibly – one of the most important steps in maintaining low costs is making sure you take advantage of a programmable thermostat. If you have a programable thermostat, set it so it is about 10 degrees warmer during the day while you are out of the house, then set it to decrease to your desired temperature about an hour before you expect to arrive home.
Our second suggestion is to add insulation – adding insulation to a home helps to prevent heat from entering a home through the walls or attic. Even if you already have some amount of insulation, you may benefit from adding more. This could reduce AC run time, which can help ease the work of your system.
Suggestion number three is to regularly schedule maintenance – an air conditioning maintenance program includes a thorough inspection and a tune-up which could keep your older air conditioning system around for a little bit longer and help it to run more efficiently for not only this season, but the coming seasons. Check out the Bunn’s and Bennett Service Program ® and consider getting on an annual maintenance schedule that can help you save energy throughout the life of your system.
And lastly, consider replacing an older unit – unfortunately, there comes a time when the efficiency of your AC drops for good. At some point, air conditioning replacement is simply a better option. Today’s units are more efficient than ever before. Replacing an older 10 SEER unit with today’s more efficient 14 or 15 SEER units will reduce your energy consumption and therefore your energy bills by as much as 30%. Over the course of just a few years, today’s energy efficient models from American Standard or Westinghouse essentially pay for themselves in energy savings.
Bunn’s & Bennett Heating & Air Conditioning
If these suggestions did not solve your problem, or you’d simply prefer a professional take a look at your system, call Bunn’s & Bennett Heating & Air Conditioning. We are a licensed HVAC dealer serving the Huntsville-Madison (AL) and Tennessee Valley area. We are available 24/7/365 for any and all of your HVAC needs. Let us cool your Bunns!
