Florida’s weather can be hard on your cooling system — and wallet! Although air conditioning is vital to Florida homeowners, there are a few simple ways you can improve your energy usage. Our team at Complete Comfort is here to share some energy-saving tips with you to help lower your next bill.
How To Have A More Energy-Efficient HVAC System
Turn Up Your Thermostat
Set your air conditioner to 78 degrees while at home, and bump it up when you’re away. Anytime your house is unoccupied, such as while your family is on vacation, you can set the AC to 85 degrees or higher. According to The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the smaller the difference is between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
Keep Your AC On “Auto”
When your AC fan is “on,” the system continuously runs the motor even when the unit isn’t cooling. Therefore, keeping your fan set on “auto” can reduce both your energy usage and costs.
Instead of overworking your unit’s fan, utilize your ceiling fans more. They have the power to cool your body down a few degrees and use relatively little electricity.
Leave Your Air Vents Open
To improve your cooling unit’s efficiency, it’s best practice to leave most of your air vents open. Too many closed vents can create a pressure imbalance in your conditioned space and reduce the effectiveness of your system. Try to limit the number of closed vents to less than 10% of a conditioned zone for optimal cooling.
Run Appliances At Night
Running home appliances, such as your washing machine or dishwasher, adds extra heat and moisture to the air. When you run these machines during midday peak temperatures, your system has to work even harder to cool your home. Therefore, it’s best to use appliances at night when it’s cooler outside.
In addition, if you’re on a Time-Of-Use energy plan, electricity rates are lower during off-peak hours, such as the early morning or nighttime.
HVAC Maintenance
Replace Air Filters Regularly
It’s important to change your air filters regularly to avoid dirt and debris build-up, which can disrupt your airflow, forcing your air conditioning unit into overdrive. Delaying air filter changes also reduces air quality and decreases the lifespan of your cooling system.
You should replace filters about every 1-3 months, depending on the size of your home and if you have pets, so make sure to set yourself regular reminders!
Inspect Your Ductwork
Leaks in your duct system due to improper installation or holes may be costing you big time. The DOE reports that duct-related losses account for more than 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning. Scheduling a professional air duct inspection can identify any costly issues that need repairing to ensure the effectiveness of your ductwork and cooling system.
Schedule Annual HVAC Tune-Ups
Routine maintenance inspections make sure that your air conditioner is operating as it should year-round. A preventative AC tune-up consists of the following:
- Comprehensive cleaning of the drain line and drain pan to increase efficiency
- Refrigerant level evaluation to maintain optimal performance
- A ductwork inspection to check for air leaks
- Cleaning of the indoor and outdoor units to eliminate any dirt and debris
Contact Us For Jupiter HVAC Maintenance
At Complete Comfort, we take pride in caring for our community! Helping Florida homeowners beat the heat, and save money while doing so, is what we’re all about. Check out our Comfort Club Platinum Membership to receive year-round maintenance services at a discounted price and make the most of your unit. Our comfort experts are here to handle all your cooling needs, so give us a call today!
