subject: Reduce Your Home Cooling Bill -- Six-point, Cost Saving Air Conditioning Energy Efficiency Plan [print this page] Living in the Land of Hot Days and Sweaty Nights: Dealing With an Expensive Arizona Home Cooling Bill
Known for intense desert temperatures, harsh summer storms and extreme ventures in rattlesnake hunting, the state of Arizona, USA has one of the greatest national needs for effective air conditioning performance. The following six-point energy efficiency plan provides information that can help Arizona residents save a bit on the costs involved in staying cool.
And hey! This six-point cost saving air conditioning energy efficiency plan also works outside of Arizona. Read up. Make your cooling bill count no matter where your state of residence.
The High Priced Home Cooling Bill: What is the Cost of Running Air Treatment Systems
Staying cool costs money. In the summertime, air-conditioning is the big home energy ticket. The average yearly cost for keeping a home cool hangs around $350.00. The Alliance to Save Energy estimates that the 2012, residential household energy bill will top off at around $2,200.
In the best of times, two thousand dollars can tax the home budget. In a time when the U.S. poverty line is expected exceed a level not matched since the 1960s, the cost of air conditioning your home becomes a matter of major concern. Saving energy is of long-term importance to the environment. Reducing your home cooling bill is immediately important to you.
But hold off on panicking. The following changes in the way you address your home air conditioning requirements can result in greater comfort on a lower budget:
1) Air Filters
Dirty air filters reduce the performance of any type of equipment. Your home HVAC system is no exception. To provide better home air conditioning performance, reduce energy waste and easy the unit's workload, change the filter once a month. This not only saves on cooling costs, it also helps reduce the chances of you're A/C unit requiring an early service call.
2) HVAC System Tune Up
System tune-ups help define the longevity of your home cooling and heating unit. Schedule a yearly home maintenance call. In the event that local construction or landscaping processes contribute an extreme dust environment, consider scheduling an additional system tune-up. Spending a bit of small-change on a yearly system maintenance may save you bundles in energy costs and system wear and tear.
The following air conditioning maintenance checklist gives you an idea of what a system tune-up involves. Some of the tips relate to daily homeowner system management. Others may require the help of a local air conditioning professional:
Apply sensible thermostat settings Reduce fire hazards by ensuring that all electrical connections are firmly secured Lubrication non-sealed mechanical components Clean the condenser drain Check the controls for accurate functionality Clean the condenser coils using a water hose on the outside and an air hose for inside units Maintain proper refrigerant levels Clean blower components Change the filters.
3) Programmable Thermostat
Older home air conditioning systems may not include a programmable thermostat. If your unit lacks this feature, consider a small upgrade. When installed correctly, a programmable thermostat can produce yearly energy savings as high as $190.00.
4) Leaking Duct System
It's all about air flow. Leaks in your duct system can cause you to loose as much as twenty percent of heating and cooling dollars. Check and repair any duct leaks in your basement, crawlspace and attic.
5) Bite the Bullet: Replace Your HVAC System
Sometimes the only reasonable solution to a problem involves high-ticket spending. Older A/C systems do not meet modern energy-efficiency codes. If a unit replacement seems your best option, take time to compare systems. Amana, Carrier, Rheem and other air handling equipment manufactures offer various energy-efficient home HVAC solutions. Compare prices, performance ratings and any special door openers.
6) Proper Installation
Installing a new system can save you as much as $200.00 per year in energy costs. But make sure your installer understands the instructions and specifications that are unique to your new air conditioning unit. A poor HVAC installation can result in a 30 percent loss in energy efficiency.
