Will Central Heat and A/C Tune-Ups Decrease My Electric Bills?
- Regularly scheduled heating and air-conditioning tune-ups and inspections help ensure that a system maintains the optimum level of efficiency. Homeowner.net recommends air-conditioning tune-ups in early to mid-spring, before hot weather begins. Central heat tune-ups should be done in early fall. Tune-ups include checking hoses for leaks and wear, cleaning or replacing filters, topping off fluid levels, lubricating moving parts, adjustments to the airflow blower and checking and inspecting the condensate drain.
- Dirty condenser coils and evaporators and improper refrigerant levels affect the efficiency of an air-conditioning system. According to Energy Star, problems with the airflow in your heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system can reduce energy efficiency by up to 15 percent. Airflow problems can occur because of dirty filters and with the blower component of the system. Dirty and/or cracked components in the heating system affect energy efficiency and heating costs as well.
- According the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average price of one kilowatt hour has risen from 8.24 cents in 2000 to 11.36 cents in 2010. With the price of electricity continuing to rise, the cost of keeping a home comfortable is increasingly expensive. The average American household uses 16.5 percent of the total electricity consumption for cooling. According to the City of Glendale Water and Power, an air-conditioning tune-up can reduce energy consumption by 500 to 600 kilowatt hours per year. In dollars, the savings can amount to $50 to $60 per year in cooling costs alone.
- Cleaning or replacing filters on a regular basis, shielding air-conditioning units from the sun and maintaining good air flow into the unit all help reduce energy usage. Sealing the air ducts in your home will reduce the amount of energy lost through leaks in unsealed duct work. Weatherize your home for even more savings. Do not turn the thermostat down when you turn the air on. The air conditioner will not cool the house any faster and, according to Energy Star, will actually make the unit work harder and use more electricity.
- In addition to increasing energy efficiency and lowering utility bills, annual HVAC tune-ups decrease your carbon footprint, lower repair bills and increase the longevity of your heating and cooling system. With central heating systems, the annual tune-up also protects your home and your family from fire hazards and carbon monoxide leaks. An experienced technician will identify potentially hazardous problems and recommend repairs.
