Installing air conditioning in Long Beach, CA is one thing, but it’s another thing entirely to run that air conditioner efficiently. In the end, it all comes down to money, and that’s going to be decided by your air conditioner’s efficiency.
Here are four things that could be stopping your HVAC system from reaching its full efficiency potential:
1. Thermostat Isn’t Programmed for Efficiency
A programmable thermostat is a huge advantage for maintaining efficiency. If you’re not taking advantage of all of its features, you’re missing out on some opportunities for saving:
- Programming the AC to stay off when no one’s home, but letting it turn on at a set time.
- Scheduling a heating or cooling routine to match the season.
- Letting it do all the work for you, so you won’t forget to change the settings.
Another variation of the programmable thermostat are the smart and Wi-Fi thermostats. These can be controlled through the computer or an app on your smartphone. Going to be out later than you expected? Simply open your app and reschedule your cooling or heating times.
While smart / Wi-Fi thermostats are not an absolute necessity to keep your home comfortable, they can go a long way in helping you run your system more efficiently. We certainly recommend them if efficiency is your aim.
2. You Haven’t Kept Up With Regular Maintenance
An AC unit that doesn’t function properly will work overtime to meet the demands of your thermostat. It’s important to keep regular maintenance a priority. Otherwise, your AC can waste money in a number of ways:
- Lowered efficiency from subpar performance
- More money spent on unnecessary repairs
- In the case of an old AC, not having it replaced before it becomes hopelessly inefficient
3. Your Comfort Needs Require Zone Control
Have you ever wanted to cool only some of the rooms in the house instead of the entire home? Your average central AC is simply not capable of this. However, if you opt to have your AC installed with a zone control system, you’ll be able to resolve this issue.
Zone control can be used to maximize your comfort by giving every room of the house its own custom temperature setting. However, it can just as easily be used to maximize efficiency by routing air only to the rooms that need it.
4. Your Unit Wasn’t Properly Installed
In the past, it was thought that large and powerful AC units were essential to keeping your home cool. Now, we know it’s all about finding the right sized unit for your home.
Undersized units will have trouble cooling or heating the entire room, forcing it to run longer than it should have to. Oversized units, on the other hand, will cool the home too quickly, causing the system to short cycle. In both cases, the AC will waste energy chasing the number on the thermostat.
Finding the balance between oversized and undersized is the key to maintaining efficiency. Part of your HVAC contractor’s job will be to inspect your home and do the math to determine the perfect sized unit.
Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to speak with an expert about maintaining your air conditioner’s efficiency.