Tips for Lowering Your Air Conditioning Expenses

Is It Time for Replacing Your A/C?

We can say with confidence that some blistering heat waves are coming our way in the near future, and with that comes higher electric bills as your cooling system kicks into overdrive.

With that in mind, here are six tips to keep those bills from getting out of control.

Set your thermostat higher. During hot summer days, aim for an indoor temperature of about 78 degrees to get the best balance of comfort and cost-effectiveness. If that sounds too high, read our next tip.
Use a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan can make a room feel cooler just by moving air around, so when you use it together with air conditioning, you can set your thermostat higher than you normally would. The average ceiling fan uses about as much energy as a light bulb, so you can run one for just pennies a day.
Clear the Way. Keep the area around your outdoor condenser free of debris and trim any foliage back at least two feet from your condenser. This allows your condenser to “breathe” and operate more efficiently.
Clean or change your air filter regularly. This can increase your air conditioner’s efficiency by as much as 10-15% and increase the lifespan of your system. If you had a tune-up done this year, we started you off with a clean filter. Check it a few times during the summer and clean/replace as necessary.
Get annual A/C service – Don’t skip your annual cooling tune-up. It will keep your A/C running at its best and help you avoid costly repairs.
Have a Plan. Keeping your A/C system running efficiently and trouble-free are among the many benefits of having an Air Conditioning Service Plan or a Heat Pump Plan. Read about the coverage you get with our Service Plans.

How Long Do Central Air Systems Last?

In our many years of installing and servicing residential cooling systems for residents in Montgomery County and Bucks County, we’ve found that the average life span of a central air conditioning unit typically ranges between 10 to 15 years.

However, if you’re diligent about getting preventive maintenance done every year, your cooling equipment can continue keeping your home comfortable even longer than that. By the same token, neglecting proper maintenance can considerably shorten equipment life. We’ve also seen equipment life shortened because the contractor who installed the system in the first place did not follow proper installation guidelines.

When to Replace Your Central A/C System

If you think you’re spending too much money on repairs or your electric costs keep climbing every summer, consider an A/C replacement. Although there are exceptions, the performance and reliability of central air equipment usually deteriorates after 15 years.

Bottom line: there is no point in hanging onto a cooling system that can no longer provide you with top performance. Over time, federal energy requirements have led to major improvements in home comfort equipment.

The result has been dramatically higher efficiency ratings, much lower energy costs and minimal need for repairs. New cooling equipment also uses environmentally friendly refrigerant instead of the harmful and expensive R-22, which is no longer being manufactured.

A new high-efficiency system could cut your cooling costs by 20% or more—and eliminate the expense and annoyance of breakdowns—while keeping your home more comfortable, no matter how high the temperature soars.

Those energy savings can be enough to offset the cost of a new A/C unit in a short period of time, especially when you take advantage of manufacturer’s rebates, 0% financing opportunities, federal tax credits and other incentives that could save you thousands of dollars.

Please reach out to us to request a free estimate on a new A/C installation.