Tag: central air upgrades

How To Save Money With Central Air

Saving money with central air conditioning involves optimizing its use, maintaining the system, and making some changes around your home to improve efficiency. Here are practical tips to help you reduce costs:

1. Adjust the Thermostat for Efficiency

  • Set It to 78°F (25.5°C): In the summer, setting your thermostat to 78°F when you’re home and higher when you’re away is a recommended temperature to balance comfort and energy savings. For every degree above 72°F, you can save about 3-5% on cooling costs.
  • Raise the Temperature When You’re Away: Increase the temperature by 7-10 degrees when you’re away or asleep. You can save up to 10% annually on cooling costs by reducing AC usage during these times.

2. Use a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

  • Automate Temperature Adjustments: A programmable or smart thermostat allows you to set specific cooling schedules, reducing energy use when cooling isn’t needed. For example, schedule the AC to cool the house before you arrive home, rather than running all day.
  • Utilize Smart Features: Many smart thermostats adapt to your schedule and preferences, automatically adjusting for maximum efficiency. They also offer remote control, so you can adjust settings from your smartphone.

3. Seal Air Leaks and Insulate

  • Seal Doors and Windows: Use weatherstripping, caulking, or door sweeps to seal gaps around doors and windows where cool air can escape and warm air can enter.
  • Insulate Your Home: Proper insulation keeps cool air inside and prevents warm air from entering. Insulating your attic, walls, and floors, and using thermal curtains, can significantly reduce the cooling load on your AC.

4. Use Ceiling Fans and Portable Fans

  • Circulate Air: Ceiling fans help distribute cool air more evenly, allowing you to raise the thermostat by a few degrees without feeling warmer. Set fans to rotate counterclockwise in the summer to push cool air downward.
  • Combine Fans with AC: Using fans along with your central air helps you feel cooler without lowering the thermostat. This reduces your energy usage and saves money.

5. Close Curtains and Blinds During the Day

  • Block Out Sunlight: Close blinds, shades, or curtains, especially on windows that face the sun, to reduce heat gain. Blackout curtains or thermal blinds are even more effective in keeping your home cool.
  • Use Reflective Window Film: Applying a reflective film to windows can block UV rays and reduce heat gain, making your home naturally cooler and less reliant on AC.

6. Regularly Maintain Your Central Air System

  • Replace Air Filters Every 1-3 Months: Dirty filters restrict airflow, causing your AC to work harder. Replacing filters regularly ensures proper airflow and efficiency.
  • Schedule Annual Tune-Ups: Have a professional inspect and tune up your AC system annually. Maintenance checks can identify issues, prevent costly repairs, and improve efficiency, extending the system’s lifespan.
  • Clean the Outdoor Unit: Keep the outdoor condenser unit free from debris, dust, and vegetation. Blocked airflow reduces efficiency, so clean it regularly and ensure at least two feet of clearance around it.

7. Use Zoning to Cool Select Areas

  • Zone Cooling: If possible, create cooling zones to control the temperature in specific areas rather than cooling the whole house. This is particularly helpful in larger homes or if you only use certain rooms during the day.
  • Close Vents in Unused Rooms: Close AC vents and doors in rooms you don’t use to concentrate the cooling on the areas you spend time in.

8. Reduce Heat-Producing Activities

  • Cook at Cooler Times of Day: Avoid using the oven or stove during the hottest parts of the day, as it adds heat to your home. Use the microwave or grill outside to keep the kitchen cool.
  • Limit Electronics Use: Electronics like TVs and computers produce heat, making your AC work harder. Turn off electronics when not in use and consider using energy-efficient LED lighting, which emits less heat than incandescent bulbs.

9. Consider an AC Upgrade if It’s Older

  • Invest in an Energy-Efficient System: If your central AC is over 10-15 years old, it may be less efficient than newer models. Upgrading to a unit with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating can cut your cooling costs significantly.
  • Choose an Energy Star Model: Energy Star-certified AC units are designed to use less energy and reduce cooling costs by up to 15% compared to standard models.

10. Utilize Eco Mode or Fan-Only Mode

  • Use Eco or Power Saver Mode: Many central air systems have an energy-saving or eco mode that automatically adjusts cooling to maintain efficiency without overcooling.
  • Switch to Fan-Only Mode When It’s Cool: Use the fan-only mode during cooler parts of the day or at night to circulate air without running the compressor, saving energy and reducing wear on the AC.

11. Take Advantage of Cool Evenings

  • Open Windows at Night: If temperatures drop at night, turn off the AC and open windows to let in cool air. Use fans to help circulate this cooler outdoor air throughout your home.
  • Close Windows and Blinds in the Morning: As temperatures rise, close windows and blinds to trap the cool air inside.

12. Install a Whole-House Fan or Attic Fan

  • Whole-House Fan: A whole-house fan pulls in cool air from outside and expels warm air through the attic, reducing the need for central air during mild weather.
  • Attic Ventilation: Installing an attic fan or improving attic ventilation reduces heat buildup in the attic, making it easier to keep your living spaces cool.

13. Set Realistic Cooling Goals

  • Avoid “Over-Cooling”: Setting your thermostat too low won’t cool your home faster but will increase energy usage and costs. Stick to a steady, comfortable temperature and avoid adjusting it frequently.
  • Use Incremental Adjustments: Adjust the temperature in small increments rather than making large changes. Small changes can make a noticeable difference in comfort without a significant energy impact.

Conclusion

By following these strategies, you can reduce the energy demand of your central air system and save on cooling costs. Small changes in thermostat settings, regular maintenance, and efficient home-cooling practices can add up to significant savings while keeping your home comfortable.