Residential Air Conditioning: How to Reduce Cooling Inefficiencies

27 March 2020
 Categories: , Blog

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Air conditioning is essential for health and comfort, but the energy costs can be significant. In simple terms, an AC uses a lot of energy to eliminate indoor heat and keep the interior cool. The power used is not only costly in terms of electrical expenses. There are also environmental implications due to the carbon footprint of the appliances. Fortunately, you can reduce the energy cost through upkeep and improvement of your system. Here are tips on reducing residential air conditioning inefficiencies. 

Assess Ductwork Condition

The leakage of HVAC ducts can go unnoticed for a long time. Therefore, if you have a ducted cooling setup, you should engage a qualified contractor for a check-up. Remember, if the ducts are damaged and lose air, the energy demands for the appliance will rise. This might go unnoticed without adequate monitoring of electrical expenses. An inspection will reveal weaknesses, and you can conduct immediate sealing to fix the weaknesses. It is also advisable to look for refrigerant leaks from the AC hosing

Insulate Your House

Insulating your house is one of the simplest options for reducing your AC energy demands Insulation means that there will be minimal heat gain during summer and loss during winter. The process of improving your whole home can be difficult. However, you can target common problem areas. For instance, windows contribute to most of the heat exchange. Therefore, you can replace your old glass with optimally insulated panes. The garage door is also considered to be a critical point of heat exchange. So, consider applying suitable insulation and repairing the weather-stripping.

Consider a Smart Thermostat

Smart technology can give you more control over your air conditioning system. This, in turn, might translate into significant savings. If you are interested in this, you should look into purchasing a smart thermostat for your home. This device is designed to minimise energy expenses by providing a method to tailor the function of the AC to immediate needs. For instance, this device can turn off the system when the house is empty. It can also tailor the temperature according to the time of day. In addition, you can use it for zoning your home.

Reduce Indoor Heat

Finally, consider reducing your indoor sources or causes of ambient heating. Your AC will be under strain if it must keep cooling your home while there are a lot of heating features on. For instance, you should choose energy-efficient, non-heating bulbs like LED. Also, reduce the use of cooking appliances when the AC is on and opt for outdoor barbequing.

For more help with residential air conditioning, contact an AC service in your area.