7 Ways to Boost Air Conditioner Efficiency This Summer
The more efficient your air conditioner, the less energy it uses and the more money you save.
When you run your central air conditioning from spring through fall in Southeast Texas, saving energy and reducing your utility bills can seem like a pipe dream.
With a little effort and help from a trusted heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professional, like Milton Frank Plumbing & Cooling, you can boost AC system efficiency and enjoy comfort throughout the hot weather months while keeping costs down.
Contact Your Spring Cooling Experts
At Milton Frank Plumbing & Cooling, we are committed to helping clients get the most value from your heating and cooling systems. Our qualified technicians maintain, repair, and install central air conditioners in The Woodlands and nearby communities.
We can help you minimize AC system energy use or choose the best upgrade for your home. With the daily temperature climbing to 90° Fahrenheit and beyond over the next few months, AC energy efficiency is a priority in our muggy, hot weather. Use these strategies to turn that priority into a reality:
- Use Clean AC Air Filters
Managing air filter replacement is one of the easiest ways to boost air conditioner efficiency. Dirty air filters restrict airflow, causing your HVAC equipment to work harder and expend more energy to achieve your desired temperature. Examine your AC air filter monthly. Replace it if it is dirty. Consult the manufacturer’s guidelines on filter replacement frequency for your AC system.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), a clean air filter can lower your AC’s energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent.
- Maintain Your Air Conditioner
Protect your air conditioner during the winter with a cover made of breathable, weather-resistant materials. Avoid plastic. Keep plants from encroaching on the unit. Prune back shrubs and remove weeds.
Schedule a professional tune-up every spring for your air conditioner. Our Milton Frank Plumbing & Cooling team will thoroughly inspect and clean your cooling system. We replace worn parts and fix emerging problems during a maintenance checkup. A cleaned and tuned-up air conditioner lasts longer and operates more efficiently than a neglected system.
Get a spring and a fall tune-up for your HVAC system with Milton’s Value Plan. A maintenance plan can keep your HVAC system’s tune-ups on track while delivering discounts and other perks.
- Adjust the Thermostat
Save energy by dialing the thermostat up a few degrees before leaving home or going to bed without compromising comfort.
Installing a smart thermostat enables you to adjust temperatures and avoid cooling an unoccupied space from anywhere through an app downloaded to your smartphone. Smart thermostats also self-adjust after learning your temperature preferences and home occupancy patterns.
- Shade Your Home and AC Unit
If you plan to install a central air conditioner this summer, avoid placing it in full sun. Position it in a shady area and regularly clear fallen leaves and other plant growth from the unit.
Strategically placed shade trees can keep your home cool and allow you to reduce the workload on your air conditioner.
Use awnings to shade windows and window films designed to screen out ultraviolet (UV) rays and solar heat. Close drapes, shades, or blinds during the day to block direct sunlight.
- Seal Leaks
Conditioned air that escapes through gaps and cracks around windows and doors wastes energy. Your air conditioner will work more efficiently when conditioned air stays in your home and hot air remains outdoors. Use weatherstripping and caulking to seal gaps.
Ask us at Milton Frank Plumbing & Cooling to inspect and seal your ductwork. Although conditioned air that escapes from ductwork stays within your home, it typically does not improve your living area. The cool air generally leaks into attics, basements, crawlspaces, and other unconditioned spaces instead of your living room, kitchen, and bedrooms.
- Use Fans
Floor fans blast you with air, and ceiling fans, operated counterclockwise, create a chilly draft.
Fans can assist your central air conditioner with cooling. The DOE says you can raise the thermostat by 4° degrees without compromising comfort if you run a ceiling fan.
- Zoned Cooling
Ask our Milton Frank Plumbing & Cooling team about installing a zone control system in your The Woodlands home.
You control which areas of your home receive heating and cooling by opening and closing dampers installed in your ductwork. Each zone you create has a thermostat that operates independently. You can group one or more rooms to create a zone or form zones from the stories or wings in your home.
For example, you might designate your kitchen and a south-facing dining room as one zone and bedrooms as another. A third-floor office and walk-out basement might count as two other zones. You could air condition all four zones at different temperatures.
Zoning enables you to satisfy more than one temperature preference and avoid cooling unoccupied areas of your home.
Make AC Efficiency a Priority
Enjoy summer and save on utility bills by boosting air conditioner energy efficiency. Let Milton Frank Plumbing & Cooling recommend cooling solutions for your The Woodlands, TX, home. Call us at 281-645-9596 or request service online.