Start with the right equipment and know how to use it to save money on air conditioning in Lancaster CA.
Depending on how big your space is and how cold you like to keep your indoor environment, you may be spending a significant amount on Air Conditioning in Lancaster CA every month. If you want to save money, you need to take a two-pronged approach. First, ensure you have the right air conditioning equipment. Secondly, ensure you are using that equipment in such a way that promotes optimum efficiency. Here are some tips to help.
Buy an ENERGYSTAR System
First and foremost, you need to start out with an air conditioning system that offers good baseline energy efficiency. If terms like SEER, EER, amps, and watts make your head spin, focus on looking for the ENERGYSTAR label. According to experts, ENERGYSTAR air conditioners are up to 15 percent more efficient than standard models.
Keep Your Filters Clean
Dirty air filters not only make your home smell funny, they also limit the efficiency of your air conditioning in Lancaster CA. Basically, it takes more energy to blow air through a dirty filter. By cleaning or replacing your filter regularly, experts estimate you can use 5 to 15 percent less energy.
Get Your Ducts Checked
Damaged air ducts can be like a black hole for energy and money. Experts estimate that about 30 percent of the average HVAC system’s output is lost through the ductwork. You can help minimize this waste by getting your ductwork inspected for leaks and gaps, and by getting an air balancing test to ensure adequate airflow is making it out of each of your air registers.
Dehumidify
In addition to producing cooled air, air conditioners also remove moisture from the air. Both of these activities make us feel cooler. If your air conditioner isn’t dehumidifying your home effectively, consider investing in a separate dehumidifier. You may find that some days you can get by with just the dehumidifier and a fan and still feel perfectly comfortable. Other days you may be able to set the thermostat higher because the dehumidifier helps you tolerate warmer temperatures.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats are quite convenient as well as a great way to save money. If you use it right, this little device can save you about 10 percent on your cooling costs. The best models have options to create a different program for every day of the week to accommodate your schedule, as well as to set vacation mode or to allow the system to set itself based on outside temperatures.
Get Better Curtains
One final tip is to get better curtains for your home—and actually use them. The goal here is to block out as much solar heat as possible, so your air conditioner in Lancaster CA doesn’t have to work so hard to cool your home. However, you don’t necessarily have to get blackout curtains. There are now many options available, including curtains that allow light to come in but block heat, so you can still enjoy natural light.