As the temperatures are rising, air conditioners are expected to work harder and harder. While most homeowners anticipate electric bills increasing over the summer months due to the cost of cooling their homes, a steep rise can reflect that your air conditioner is inefficient. If you find that your energy bills are much higher than what you were paying last year, it could be because your air conditioner has lost energy efficiency.
Reasons for Efficiency Decline:
There are a number of possible reasons why your air conditioner may be suffering from efficiency decline. These include;
A dirty outdoor condenser. Since your condenser is located outside, it can be vulnerable to becoming dirty from garden waste, storm debris, and even construction residues. This is the reason why many homeowners make the decision to cover their condenser over the winter months. Unfortunately, even a cover may not prevent dirt and debris from accumulating inside the condenser.
Clogged air filter. Another common reason for a decline in energy efficiency is that your air filters are clogged. Most manufacturers recommend that air filters are cleaned or replaced every eight weeks. When an air filter becomes clogged with debris and dirt, it restricts airflow throughout the system and lowers the energy efficiency. Fortunately, this can be easily rectified by cleaning or replacing the air filters. It is worth checking the condition of your air filters every month and changing or cleaning them as required.
Miscalibrated thermostat. Even if your thermostat is only miscalibrated by a few degrees, your air conditioner will be running longer than it should. While you may not notice a difference in the comfort level inside your home, it could be costing you a great deal in increased energy costs. According to research, turning down your thermostat by one degree could save approximately 3% on your energy bill. Therefore, you need to ensure that your thermostat is operating correctly to keep your energy costs as low as possible.
You have a duct leak. An efficiency problem can often be the result of a leak in your ductwork rather than an issue with the air conditioner itself. Duct leaks account for up to 30% loss in air conditioning cooling, which can significantly compromise efficiency.
Maintaining Your Air Conditioner Efficiency:
One of the best ways to maintain the efficiency of your air conditioner is to establish a routine of regular servicing. It is a good idea to have your air conditioner serviced at least once a year. Ideally, you should have your equipment checked in spring before the temperatures start to rise. While it may seem counterproductive to spend money to save money, when it comes to servicing of your air conditioner, investing a little can save you a great deal of time, stress and frustration. Regular servicing will provide the opportunity to have any minor issues corrected before they develop into a major fault. An experienced technician will be able to not only check component wear and tear, replacing any worn parts and reducing the risk of a breakdown, but ensure that your system is operating at peak efficiency.