In many homes, the air conditioning system adds up to more than 11% of the monthly bill total. Choosing an energy efficient model can save you up to 40% on monthly cooling costs. Here are a few helpful tips and things to consider when shopping for cost effective ways to cool your home.
Get bids from at least three reliable contractors: Whether you’re having a central air conditioner installed in a brand new home, or retrofitting your existing home, make sure to check references and quality of work where possible. Ask your contractor about available rebates that they may pass along on energy-efficient central a/c systems.
Install the right size system for your home: It’s vitally important to get the right size air conditioner. Too small and it can’t do the job. Too big and it will waste energy. Your contractor should tell you what the right size for you home is.
Have your existing duct work tested and sealed: It does not make sense to install a new, energy-efficient air conditioning unit unless the duct system is also energy efficient. Studies indicate that 10%-30% of heated or cooled air is lost, along with the money spent to heat or cool that air through leaky ducts. Ducts that are part of central heating and cooling systems offer one of the best opportunities to increase your energy efficiency, increase your comfort, and manage your energy bills.
See if your existing forced-air heating system can be converted for air conditioning: Let a qualified air conditioning contractor tell you if it is possible to convert your existing duct work. If so, the installation could cost a lot less than starting from scratch.
Perform annual basic service checkups, including changing filters and cleaning the outdoor unit to maintain peak performance levels
Have a system refrigerant check-up performed when equipment is first installed and during annual inspections, or if the system check indicates that one is needed.
There are two ways to cool your home.
Passive measures do not involve energy use, and can include shade trees, awnings or roof overhangs that help block the sun from windows. Insulation and weather-stripping can also help keep your house cool without electricity.
Active cooling means cooling your home with energy using devices such as air conditioners. Central air conditioning can be one of the more costly ways to cool your home. There are active cooling measures that you can use that are more cost effective than a central air conditioning system.
Whole-House Fans
A whole-house fan, when combined with other conservation measures, can cool homes in many parts of San Diego County. Mounted in the ceiling, the fan draws in cool, early morning or evening air through windows and doors while the hot air is forced out through attic vents.
Evaporative Coolers
An evaporative cooler works by drawing outside air inside through water-soaked pads. Evaporation cools the air which then flows directly into your home or through a duct system. While evaporative coolers cost less to use than air conditioners, they add moisture to the air, so they’re most effective in low-humidity areas such as desert communities.
Room Air Conditioners
Use room air conditioners when a central air conditioning system is impractical or when you only want to cool certain rooms. When buying a new room air conditioner, look for a model with the ENERGY STAR® label.
These appliances have been approved as smart consumer choices by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An ENERGY STAR® room air conditioner uses 10% less energy than a standard model.
Electric Heat Pumps
A heat pump can cool a house as well as heat it. During the summer the heat pump transfers heat from inside air to the outside. A heat pump can be an energy-efficient alternative for heating and cooling an all-electric home.