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Air Conditionig Unit Efficiency |
To cool or not to cool? Keeping expenses down.
Seems like a crazy question as the temperatures are threatening triple digits—until the electric bill arrives. Refrigerated air systems provide ice-cold air; a luxury most homeowners prefer to keep. But each month we pay a premium for keeping our homes comfortable. How can we keep our energy bills reasonable during cooling season?
The #1 efficiency reducer in a heating and refrigerated air system is dirt. Dirty filters restrict air flow and increase static pressures, making the system work harder and longer to satisfy the thermostat. Outside condensing units get clogged with dust and debris—especially cottonwood and elm seeds—restricting heat exchange. Blower motor efficiency is reduced by dust. A homeowner can easily improve efficiency and performance with a little housekeeping. Change air filters at least 4 times a year to control the amount of dust accumulating in the system. Keep the outside unit clean by giving in a vigorous rinse with a garden hose every month or so during the cooling season. Have your heating and cooling equipment serviced annually by a reputable company. Professional service should clean the blower compartment and the condensing coil. A well maintained system will reduce operating costs and keep repair bills to a minimum.
However, with rising energy prices, a practical approach may be to replace an obsolete air conditioner with an efficient model. No matter how well maintained, outdated (10 years +) equipment can cost you more than it is worth. Thankfully, high efficient HVAC products are available, using much less energy than their earlier counterparts without sacrificing performance. Government mandated minimum standards for SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) were raised in 2006 to 13 SEER for refrigerated air condensing units. If the equipment in your home is 3+ years old, it’s likely rated at 10 or less SEER. Upgrading to 13 SEER gives you immediate energy savings, averaging 25% with a standard air conditioner. Each SEER point is worth about 10% less energy use.
Homeowners installing a heat pump, rated up to 19 SEER, see even more monthly savings. Heat pumps are air conditioning units able to reverse heat exchange. The same condensing unit used to cool a home in the summer can seriously cut natural gas bills in the winter! We have many days in Grand Junction where the home calls for heat when it is above 31* Fahrenheit outside. A heat pump, using electricity, heats effectively down to freezing. When the temperature drops below set point, the thermostat tells the furnace to take over. Having a dual fuel or “Hybrid Heat” option is a smart way to use the most economical fuel source at the most efficient time.
The best high efficiency heating and air-conditioning systems have variable speed blowers, meaning they constantly circulate air through ductwork to maintain even inside temperatures. It’s like gas mileage—we get better gas mileage on the interstate driving at consistent speeds that we get when stopping and starting in traffic. Less energy is used when a system can maintain the thermostat setting without kicking immediately to high. The same principle applies to forced air heating and natural gas. Variable speed systems provide consistent and effective circulation, using as little energy as a 75 watt bulb. Ventilation and air cleaners also function best with consistent air flow.
Start enjoying your air conditioning again. Do some easy maintenance, find out the SEER rating of the air conditioner, and decide if it is time to upgrade. The only thing you will lose is a portion of your energy bill.
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Air Conditioning Installation
Monarch HVAC, Inc employs and trains NATE Certified technicians. Our technicians understand and apply scientific HVAC principles*. When installing your heating and air conditioning system, we propose to seal and insulate distribution piping, assuring you receive all the benefit from high efficiency equipment. A properly installed system simply works better. *Call for details.
Indoor Air Filtering
Without properly installed air filtration and ventilation, the air inside your home is up to 5 times more polluted than outside air. Pollen and mold spores enter through open doors, bacteria and viruses spread between family and friends, fine dust particles house dust mites, not to mention dander from pets and humans! These contaminates can circulate in the air throughout your home spreading infections or triggering allergic and asthmatic reactions. You don’t need to hold your breath—we install whole home air filtration and purification equipment designed to enhance indoor air quality. *Call for Details
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