An efficiently operating air conditioner can make your home more comfortable during the hot summer months, and help keep energy costs under control. Some of the factors that play a key role in A/C efficiency include:
Correct Sizing
In the past, it was a common practice to oversize air conditioning equipment. The idea that bigger is better isn’t true with an HVAC system, though. An air conditioner that’s too large can’t cool and dehumidify a home effectively because it cycles on and off too quickly. For optimal performance and efficiency, the equipment must be sized correctly based on the Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s (ACCA) Manual J.
Proper Airflow
The rate of airflow that crosses your cooling system’s evaporator coil has a direct impact on its energy efficiency and your comfort. If the air is moving too fast, you can experience problems with excess humidity. When it’s too slow, the air conditioner won’t keep your home cool enough. Both issues can result in higher energy bills, and damaging wear on the system’s components that leads to premature failure.
Regular Maintenance
If your HVAC system isn’t maintained properly, and the indoor and outdoor coils aren’t cleaned regularly, the accumulated dirt and debris can make it work harder unnecessarily. This can increase its energy consumption by 20 to 30 percent, and the added strain can shorten the lifespan of key components. An annual professional tune-up and cleaning can keep it operating at maximum efficiency and also can help retain up to 95 percent of its cooling capabilities.
Tight Ductwork
When ductwork is leaky or disconnected, and/or if some ducting runs through uninsulated and unconditioned spaces, an HVAC system can’t operate efficiently. In fact, up to 30 percent of the cooled air produced can be lost before it even reaches the registers. Sealing up gaps and leaks with mastic or metal-backed tape and insulating accessible ducting in the attic or crawlspace can reduce this energy waste, and boost your comfort.
The bonus with these tips for better A/C efficiency is that most of them also will improve heating efficiency in the winter.
To learn more about how to increase A/C efficiency in your Dayton area home, contact us today at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Image courtesy of Shutterstoc
