Do you have high electricity bills from your AC? Or, is your air conditioner not cooling efficiently? Your unit could be using too much power for the comfort it provides. This means it might be time for a replacement. Keep reading to learn how to tell if your air conditioner is wasting energy and what you can do about it.
Top Signs of an Inefficient Air Conditioner
Having an inefficient air conditioner is a lot like having a money sink. It costs a lot to run, but you don’t get much out of it. However, it can be tough to tell whether it just needs simple maintenance or if the whole unit just isn’t up to par anymore. This matters because if paying for repairs or a professional cleaning won’t help, it’s likely smarter to invest in a new unit.
Here’s how to know if your AC is inefficient:
- You’re using your AC the same amount as always, but your electric bills keep rising
- The air coming out of your air conditioner vents feels warm or room-temperature
- Your AC system is constantly turning on and off, even before it can complete a full cooling cycle
- There’s water leaking from your AC, or you have drainage problems
- The actual temperature in your space is different from what it says on your thermostat
- Your space always feels too warm, even when you run your air conditioner constantly or on full blast
Common Air Conditioning Problems That Waste Energy
Dirty or Clogged Air Filters
Filters that are dirty or clogged with debris can prevent air from flowing through them. This forces your AC blower to work harder to push air through.
Low Refrigerant Levels
If your air conditioner runs all day without cooling your home, it could mean that there’s not enough refrigerant flowing through the system to absorb heat and move it outside your space. Typically, this suggests there might be a leak.
Dirty Coils
Air conditioners have evaporator and condenser coils that work to absorb and release heat from your space. If these are dirty, they might not be able to transfer heat as well, which can cause your system to run more often than it should.
Leaky Ductwork
If there are leaks in your ductwork, cool air could be seeping out into unused spaces, like your attic or inside your walls.
Faulty Thermostat
A faulty thermostat can send the wrong temperature signals to your AC, which can trigger your system to turn on when it shouldn’t, short cycle, or run too often and hike up your electric bills.
Helpful AC Energy Efficiency Tips
If you suspect your AC might be using too much power, there are a few things you can do immediately to help curb electric use until you can consider repair or a replacement. Check out these useful ways to save energy on air conditioning:
Keep Your Thermostat at 20 Degrees Cooler Than the Outdoor Temp
Did you know that most air conditioners can only keep a space about 20 degrees cooler than the temperature outside? This means if your thermostat is set below this level, your air conditioner can run constantly without actually providing any extra cooling.
Change or Clean Your Filters
Swap dirty filters out for fresh ones often in the summer, or clean reusable filters monthly. This prevents debris from caking up and prevents your blower motor from pushing air through.
Weatherize Your Space
Weatherizing doesn’t just mean keeping cold air out of your space and warm air in. This also applies to air conditioning and can help keep cool air inside when it’s hot out. Use caulking or weatherstripping to seal gaps around doors and windows to prevent warm air from seeping in through any cracks.
Cook at Night
If possible, run heat-producing appliances like your stove after the sun has gone down. This decreases the heat load in your space and prevents putting extra strain on your AC.
Use Ceiling Fans the Right Way
Did you know that which way your ceiling fans turn makes a difference in how cool your space is? During the summer, your fans should turn counterclockwise to push air downward and create a cooling effect. In the winter, they should turn the opposite way to lift warm air up.
Replacing Your Old Air Conditioner with a Mitsubishi Mini-Split
If it’s time to get rid of your old air conditioner and invest in a new system, consider opting for a Mitsubishi brand mini-split. At New England Heat Pump Co., we only work with the Mitsubishi brand for a reason.
Not only was the company the first in the world to manufacture ductless units in 1959, but they also created inverter technology. This allows units to run at variable speeds instead of turning off and back on again to control temperature. Now, almost every modern ductless unit uses this same technology to save energy without compromising comfort.
By choosing the Mitsubishi brand, you’re making an investment that will stand the test of time and deliver cooling when you need it most.
Explore how switching to ductless saves energy
Get Energy-Efficient Air Conditioning with New England Heat Pump Co.
If you’re looking to reduce your AC energy consumption, we can help. Contact New England Heat Pump Co. to learn more about energy-efficient air conditioning or to schedule a quote by calling (781) 443-9911.
