Air conditioning and heating contribute in a major way to the energy bills of a regular American household. Constantly running your AC during the summer months can elevate your fuel bills substantially. Older AC units are less efficient and consume more energy. To moderate the high fuel bills, there are a few simple steps a home owner can take to enhance the efficiency of their air conditioning unit:
* Check the air filters every month. Dusty clogged filters disrupt the air flow. Clean them regularly or replace them when necessary. Keeping the filters clean might reduce your energy consumption by 5-15%. Lamps, television sets and other heat emitting devices should not be placed near the thermostat of an AC. The thermostat misinterprets this and keeps cooling even when room temperatures have fallen.
* Those with central AC units should ensure the air ducts and other vents are securely insulated. Areas like attics through which the ducts pass are usually not air conditioned and insulation prevents the escape of cool air.
* Sunny areas inside the home raise the air temperature. If too much sunlight enters the home, you could be spending more on air conditioning in Chicago. Close the drapes and blinds in areas that are exposed to direct sunlight.
* Use fans instead of AC when the day temperatures are mild.
* Double glazing and insulation are very effective in bringing down fuel bills.
* Keep the temperature of the thermostat at a setting of around 78 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months for most effective cooling at an economic rate.
Don’t fall for the promotion, hype and hoopla when installing an air conditioning unit. Air conditioning is a considerable investment. Choose the unit that offers efficiency, long compressor life, a good SEER (indicating energy efficiency of the unit), and proper sizing to attain optimum cooling for your living space.
Room air conditioners only cool down the immediate area in the vicinity and central air conditioning cools down the whole space of a building. It requires more extensive ductwork and may not be cost effective. Whatever type of AC unit you choose, check the energy guide labels. Central ACs have SEER information on their labels. The higher the SEER for a unit, the more efficient the machine is. If an appliance (X) has a SEER of 6 and another appliance (Y) has a SEER of 8, the system Y would be providing the same level of cooling as X while consuming 25% less energy (8-6 =2; 2/8=0.25; 0.25X100=25%) for air conditioning. Chicago home owners can consult local experienced HVAC professionals for best cooling solutions.
Air Conditioning in Chicago – If you are looking for efficient service, repair and installation of air conditioning, Chicago home owners can rely on the top quality service at Heatmasters.
