Did you know that 45% of the average household’s energy bill goes to heating and cooling the residence? UCLA Sustainability reports similar statistics for businesses: HVAC systems apparently account for 40-60% of total energy use in the commercial sector. This means that both businesses and residences can expect to spend a significant amount of their budget on heating and cooling. However, this cost can be further increased by an inefficient air conditioning unit, or even necessary heating and AC repairs. The latter can be especially expensive: while prices vary based on the exact problem, the cost of a home air conditioner repair averages around $500 and can reach as much as $900. Fortunately, inefficient service and serious problems are often both caused by improper or insufficient maintenance, meaning that investing in timely HVAC service and repairs can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. You can also take a number of steps yourself to promote an efficient system. Follow these basic air conditioner repair tips to help you decrease your energy usage and have a more comfortable home. But remember: if you are concerned about a specific problem or are confused about any of these at home tasks, contact a home air conditioner repair service.
Have Your AC Unit Inspected Regularly
By regularly, we suggest aiming for at least once a year, before the season you use your air conditioner the most. Schedule this inspection with a home air conditioner repair service well in advance to avoid scheduling problems. Even if you think your air conditioning system is operating fine, this is an important task that should not be neglected: by catching any problems and even having your system professionally cleaned before you turn on the system, you can avoid significant expenses in the coming months.
Clean or Replace Your Filters
As previously mentioned, you can have certain parts of your system, such as your evaporator coils, cleaned professionally. However, your filters should be cleaned or replaced at least once a month, far more often than it is reasonable to schedule professional maintenance. Which of the two options you should perform depends on your unit: some use washable filters, while others require replacement filters. By performing either tasks regularly, you can ensure that the air quality in your home is healthy and your system is operating at an efficient level.
Consider an Upgrade
Because modern air conditioning systems are by design more energy efficient and easier to use than older models, your older AC unit may simply be unable to keep up. Energy standards today mandate that an AC unit have a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 13 and an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 8; look for a system that meets or surpasses these levels. Also, look for other helpful features, like washable air filters, that can help you save money.
Even after following these basic steps, you may still be unhappy with the amount of money you spend on heating and cooling costs. In this case, there are a number of steps you can take to improve the temperature of your home: consider leaving doors open, running fans to increase air circulation, and ensuring that your windows and AC units are properly sealed and insulated. For problems with your actual HVAC system, however, contact your home air conditioner repair service. Read more.