As the Arizona sun beats down on your Yuma home, the air conditioner seems to use endless energy to keep up with the demand. All that electricity adds up fast and can have your cooling costs climbing faster than the summer temperatures. Here are a few ways to lower home cooling costs this summer without sacrificing comfort.
Reducing AC Energy Requirements
When the temperature goes up, so does the run time of your AC system. Raising the thermostat by a few degrees can reduce how hard your unit needs to work. Using a ceiling fan can offset the difference in comfort and leave you feeling just as cool. On a more mild day, putting your air conditioner in fan-only mode will re-circulate the cool air in your home and lower the energy usage. While it won’t actively reduce the temperature but, the moving air will make your home feel cooler. Portable AC units and window AC units use less electricity than a central air system if you only need to focus on cooling a single room.
SEER: The Difference
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) gauges the level of cooling provided for the amount of energy consumed. Upgrading to a more efficient air conditioning system with a higher SEER rating can offer better cooling for a lower cost. The higher the SEER number, the less energy is required to provide the same level of cooling comfort. Though the initial cost of a more efficient AC unit is usually higher, it will pay off year after year in energy savings.
Size Matters
Having an air conditioner that is the correct size for your home can play a huge role in making sure that energy is being used efficiently and that your family is comfortable. A unit that is too small will work double time and still leave you sweating. One that’s too big will waste money by using more energy than one that is more suitable for the size of your home.
For the best home heating and cooling solutions to improve your comfort and lower your home’s energy costs, contact the experts at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company.
This is a rewrite from the original blog post:
How can I lower the cost of cooling my home this summer?