Air Conditioning

Tips for Energy Efficient Air Conditioning

Change out old cooling and heating equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified models. Doing this can cut your annual energy costs by 20 percent. Remember that getting the proper size and a quality installation is essential to getting the most from your new equipment.
- For instance, replacing a 10-year-old room air conditioner with a new ENERGY STAR qualified model can save an average of $14 a year on your electric bill.
Maintain your equipment to ensure optimal operation as well as to prevent future problems and unwanted costs. Keep your cooling and heating system at peak performance by having a contractor do annual pre-season check-ups. Contractors get busy once summer and winter come, so it's best to check the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall. A typical maintenance check-up should include having a licensed HVAC contractor do the following:
- Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce the system's ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
- Check your central air conditioner's refrigerant level and adjust it if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
- Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15 percent.

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