As summer approaches, many people are preparing themselves for the hot and humid conditions. This means ensuring that your air conditioning system is well maintained and ready for frequent use, but it also means considering the costs. Most of us want to feel comfortable and cool in the warm summer weather, but no one wants to face a hefty price tag. Unfortunately, there are some very pervasive misconceptions and myths about the cost of air conditioning. At the very least, these ideas will have no impact on your comfort level, but at worst, they could end up costing you more money. So, here we will debunk some of the most common.
You’ll Get Automatic Savings With a More Efficient Unit:
If your air conditioner unit is older, you should definitely see a drop in your running costs when you purchase a more efficient newer unit. While this is true, it is based on the assumption that you will be using the new air conditioner an equal amount of time as you did your previous unit. This may not be the case, and if you are using it more frequently, you may not see any savings. While a newer efficient unit has the potential to provide great savings, you will still need to monitor its usage.
Humidity Has No Effect on Cooling Costs:
In many areas of the country, high humidity is expected during the summer months. Unfortunately, the greater the humidity inside your home, the harder your air conditioning needs to work to make it feel comfortable. This means that even if you have a very efficient air conditioner, you may not feel the full benefits of its operation during the hottest summer days. A whole house dehumidifier can be incorporated into your HVAC system to not only improve the comfort levels in your home, but also support the air conditioner to perform its function without generating massive energy bills.
Greater Power = Greater Efficiency:
We’ve all seen massive air conditioner units that boast exceptional power statistics, but this doesn’t mean that it is the most efficient choice for your home. Many consumers make the assumption that a powerful unit will save them money since it is bound to cool the home more quickly compared to a smaller unit. Unfortunately, in most cases, the opposite is actually true. Many air conditioner models use exponentially more energy when they are starting up and shutting down, compared to when they are simply running. If you have too powerful an air conditioner, it is likely to rapidly cycle on and off. This will not only cause a spike in your energy costs, but it also increases wear and tear on the components inside the unit. This means that the lifespan of the unit could be compromised.
If you have any concerns about the efficiency of your air conditioner, you should speak to a professional HVAC specialist. An experienced technician can assess your system to determine if it is running at peak efficiency and advise you of any alterations that can be made to boost performance.