What Affects A/C Efficiency?
Just because Michigan is located in the northern part of the country doesn’t mean that our summers can’t get hot. Being surrounded by five Great Lakes can also lead to increased humidity, which can make hot temperatures feel even more oppressive. It’s a given that you’ll opt to spend such sticky, uncomfortable days in the cool embrace of your air conditioned home, but at a potentially higher-than-necessary cost if your system isn’t running efficiently.
A/C efficiency can be affected by a number of variables, but the ones mentioned in this article are the most common and impactful. For just $69, the HVAC experts at Technical Hot & Cold can identify and fix all of these issues and more to ensure that your home cooling system is performing at maximum efficiency, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars over the course of the summer season.
AGE
The average lifespan of a central air conditioner is about 10-15 years. In the years leading up to that point, the unit begins to have to work harder and longer against the wear and tear of time. This means it cannot cool your home as efficiently as when it was brand new. Not only can this cause your monthly energy bills to spike, but can also end up costing you more in repair costs as the required parts for aging units become harder to find and thus more expensive. If your A/C unit is pushing ten years old, you may start thinking about having a new one installed before the summer season!
While this option requires investment in a new A/C unit, you can be confident in your decision knowing that the price we quote you for a new air conditioning installation is the only one you’ll pay. No surprise “extras”. And there’s no need to worry, we only recommend you invest in a new unit if it is absolutely necessary, otherwise we will provide you with advice on appropriate repairs. Let us come take a look first and see what you’re working with.
AIR QUALITY
Your HVAC system’s air filter eliminates pollutants like pollen, dust, dander, and dirt as cooled air passes through your central air conditioner, preventing them from accumulating in the ductwork and restricting airflow. When the air filter isn't cleaned on a regular basis, it gets clogged, forcing the A/C system to operate harder and longer than required to cool your house. As indoor air quality deteriorates, this not only results in higher energy costs, but it also aggravates asthma and allergy symptoms and can lead to respiratory problems.
We at Technical Hot & Cold generally recommend that you change your air filter every 90 days. However, we’re always here to answer any questions you might have about your particular cooling system’s filter requirements, or if you need assistance finding a specific filter.
THERMOSTAT
Your home’s thermostat is basically the “brain” of your HVAC system. In the case of your central air conditioner, the thermostat will signal the unit to turn on if the indoor temperature rises above the desired setting. Once the thermostat determines that your home has reached the target temperature, it then signals the A/C to shut off.
If your thermostat isn’t working correctly, however, it won’t be able to accurately read household temperature and thus send mixed signals to your cooling system. This results in short cycling or running longer than necessary, which wastes energy and causes premature wear.
Issues with the thermostat can be caused by a variety of things including voltage, wiring or simply age. A THC technician can identify and resolve each of these possibilities.
DUCTWORK
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that nearly a quarter of the air cooled by an A/C is lost through leaks in the duct system that circulates it throughout your home. This can cause the A/C unit to run longer and harder in order to achieve and maintain a consistent temperature since the space isn’t being cooled efficiently. (This is kind of like trying to shovel water out of a boat full of holes.)
Our professional HVAC technicians at Technical Hot & Cold can find any leaks in your ductwork, then correct them by spot sealing and insulating.
Don’t waste another minute inefficiently cooling your home!
For just $69, Technical Hot & Cold can bring the tools, expertise, and training to fix all of these air conditioning quality problems, saving you a bundle on energy bills and maintenance costs. Give us a call at (734) 326-3900 or click the button below to schedule an A/C inspection or have any questions.
