Save Energy…And That Means You!!!

With temperatures rising virtually everywhere, it’s time to think about the different ways that we can limit our energy and air conditioning costs. Some of the ways to save money range from the simple to the complex, but, all in all, it’s a good idea to do what you can to improve your energy costs.

The time to replace an air conditioning unit is when it is 10 to 15 years old. Units of this age often start to operate improperly, usually unbenounced to the homeowner. In many cases these older units will often use up to 20% more energy that a newer unit. So the bottom line is that today’s new air conditioners will save you a lot of money in the long run, because they are far more energy-efficient.

When replacing an air conditioner, one of the big misconceptions is that buying a bigger unit is better. In many cases, this can be a huge mistake. Buying a unit whose output capacity is too much for the space to be air conditioned will actually cost you money, rather than save you money. You wouldn’t normally think so, but by doing that you are decreasing the efficiency.

Another thing that people often neglect is having a professional service their unit on an annual basis. No matter what the age of an air conditioner, it needs to be properly serviced and cleaned. The filtration systems often get clogged with normal air particulates and will operate inefficiently, if left unserviced thereby drastically increasing your energy bill. While having the unit serviced, it is also very important to have the ductwork checked as well, at least once every five years. Often times the seals will fail at the joints, causing a massive loss of air.

If you live in Florida and are serviced by FPl (Florida Power and Light), you can take advantage of a program, where they install a load management device, free of charge, in your house so they can turn off certain power elements during different periods of the day or night. The turn-off times are only for short intervals and not noticeable at all. The savings can be about $200 per year, and with energy costs increasing, that is significant. (We have one in our home, and not once have I ever noticed that the power to the A/C was not available, which means that they are most probably doing it as we sleep).

Anything that we can do to control energy usage can be effective, not only for ourselves, but for others as well!