As summer enters the dog days of August, you've probably seen a sharp increase in your monthly utility bills. We often hear questions about how best to save on energy costs while staying cool, and a surprising number of local residents go so far as to turn their HVAC systems off entirely. How much money can you save by turning your AC off, and is there a better way to keep some green in your wallet this summer?
Old Air Conditioners Are Real Energy Hogs
Your summer cooling costs will go through the roof as your air conditioner ages. Even if you take good care of your HVAC system, it will start to lose its energy efficiency after 10 years of use.
Annual maintenance will help keep your AC working like new, and it will prevent the annual hit to your system's SEER rating, which is a measure of its energy efficiency.
Regardless of your system's age, maintenance will help keep it running efficiently, but after 10 years, normal wear and tear will begin to show. At that point, your system will have to work harder to keep your home cool, and your energy usage will increase by 3 to 5 percent every summer.
Turning the Switch Off
You've probably heard that you can save money by adjusting your thermostat settings, but how much money can you save by turning off your system entirely? While your savings will depend on the size of your home, your system's efficiency, and local utility rates, an average 2,000 square foot home with double-pane windows, roof insulation, and a 4-ton, 10 SEER AC will save up to 25 kWh of electricity per day during the summer. That's about $100 every month based on average electric rates in the country!
Can't live without AC? We don't blame you. Instead of giving up AC for good, call about one of our
energy efficient HVAC systems. System replacements usually only take a few hours, and you can enjoy comfortable temperatures without worrying about your utility bill.
