Florida’s summer heat presents one of the biggest possible challenges when it comes to keeping energy bills low. It can be tough to balance AC run times against overall electricity consumption. However, there are several things you can do to reduce your expenditures.
Schedule Annual System Maintenance
Even if your air conditioner seems to be running very well, little issues can accumulate that will negatively affect system efficiency. For example, AC components often vibrate and loosen. This can lead to issues like refrigerant leaks and increased mechanical wear. All of this strains other components, particularly the compressor, which can make the AC more inefficient. An incorrectly charged AC refrigerant system can reduce efficiency by as much as 40 percent.
Typically, an air conditioner will lose about five to ten percent of its efficiency annually without an annual tune-up. Our technicians can perform a series of tests to verify that the refrigerant levels and pressure are right. We also can lubricate moving parts, reducing how much wear and tear they’re likely to suffer. Our technicians can clean coils and replace filters, too.
If your system does require repairs, this is also a good time to catch those issues. Scheduling a tune-up for spring or early summer allows us to catch repair issues before they become costly. Not only does this avoid unpleasant mid-summer surprises, but it allows your system to run more efficiently during the peak heat of Florida’s summer.
We can check that the control system in your AC is operating within specifications, too. The solution is sometimes as simple as tightening the system settings to minimize inefficiency.
Our company offers help with fall shutdowns of AC systems, also. We can drain and clean lines, cover outdoor components, and protect other equipment from potential damage over the winter.
Smart Thermostat
One of the best possible additions to an AC system is a smart thermostat. Today’s best thermostats are highly programmable, and many also integrate a bank of sensors to detect everything from temperature to occupancy. You can set your smart thermostat to operate at a higher temperature when you’re not around. For example, you might set the temp to automatically run above 80 degrees when you’re at work. Some systems can detect when you’re close to home and turn up the air conditioning, allowing you to return to a comfortable house without touching anything.
The top smart thermostats also incorporate some highly desirable features. Air quality monitoring can help you test what condition the filters are in. If the air quality gets worse, the smart thermostat can warn you. Since dirty filters often erode efficiency by at least five to ten percent, replacing them quickly based on a smart thermostat warning is a good idea.
Some smart thermostats connect to the servers of utility providers to check rate data. You can program these devices to preferentially cool your house more when electricity is at its cheapest. Smart thermostats also can track consumption patterns so that you can quickly identify where the biggest problems might be.
HVAC Zoning
Zonal HVAC is a process of targeting specific parts of a house with different levels of air conditioning. Our technicians often install fans and dampers that can reduce airflow in one area and increase it in another. A classic zoned configuration involves setting one zone for a house’s sunny side and another for the shady side. By pushing more conditioned air to the sunny side, you can reduce inefficiencies that come from the two sides balancing out their temperatures.
HVAC zones are also great for largely shutting off airflow to unused rooms. If you have a spare bedroom, you might not want to spend a ton of money cooling it for the benefit of no one. Whenever you do have a guest, you can then activate the zone and provide more AC.
Notably, HVAC zoning also integrates very well with a smart thermostat. Modern zoning technologies can often connect wirelessly to these devices. The thermostat can open or close dampers according to your needs.
Many people also like to set up special zones. For example, a master bedroom zone is a popular choice. This allows you to configure the master bedroom to target a cool temperature to promote restfulness. Even better, a smart thermostat can program the zone to get less air conditioning when you’re not in the bedroom.
Add a High-SEER System
The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) is a data point that indicates system efficiency. If you’re trying to figure out which air conditioner to install, the SEER gives you a good idea of how efficiently it’ll perform. Higher is always better. The government requires a minimum SEER of 14 for Florida, but we strongly recommend that customers consider a system with a SEER of at least 16 to 18.
You can find dramatically more efficient SEER figures, with the top systems passing 25. However, the upfront cost of such systems can make the payback period longer. This is the time it takes to save enough money through added efficiency to make up for the original purchase and installation price of the AC unit.
It is a good idea to look around for tax credits and rebates for high-efficiency AC units. Federal credits are usually available, and you may find state and local options. Some manufacturers offer rebates for high-efficiency units, too. Likewise, some utility providers offer rebates or discounted rates to customers who have high-efficiency setups.
Especially if your AC needs to be replaced or is coming up on the end of its expected service life, you should take a look at a high-SEEER system. Upgrading to something like a 16 SEER will usually require about seven to ten years so that you can recover your upfront costs. For a system with a SEER above 20, the payback period is probably in the 10- to 15-year range.
Ductwork
Poor ductwork can lead to significant inefficiencies in an HVAC setup. Ductwork can suffer gaps due to a variety of problems, including vibrations and corrosion. Older seals can dry and crack, too. We can make sure your air ducts are as tight as possible. In addition to improving efficiency, this will also help indoor air quality and provide better airflow.
Reach Out to the Pros
Ahoy! Cooling & Heating welcomes a wide range of HVAC projects. We install, maintain, and repair air conditioners and heating systems. Our company offers both single- and multi-zone ductless mini-split systems, too. If you need help with indoor air quality, duct cleaning, or thermostat installation, our technicians will quickly do the job.
We have been in business since 2020. You will find loads of five-star reviews for our business on Google, Angi, and Home Advisor. All our work comes with a quality guarantee, too. Our technicians also work with residential and commercial customers, and we have an upfront and flat-rate pricing system that’s impressive.
The time to think about the AC efficiency of your Tampa home is now, so contact Ahoy! Cooling & Heating right away.
