Having an AC was once considered a luxury due to the comfort it provided and the expenses it brought. Nowadays, newer ACs are designed to be as affordable and as sustainable as possible, so their energy consumption isn’t that high if you use them properly.

Unfortunately, many people in Chandler still use their air conditioners in a way that not only makes them less energy-efficient, but may also cause them to malfunction and require the help of an AC repair company a lot sooner than they normally should. 

To help you keep your utility bills down and get as much mileage as possible out of your AC, we have prepared a list of 3 time-tested ways to save money when using your AC without sacrificing your comfort. Keep reading to learn more.

How can I save money on my air conditioner?

Many people fear that getting an AC will increase their long-term expenses. This isn’t the case because, compared to other forms of cooling, air conditioners tend to be both more energy-efficient and to provide higher levels of comfort.

Here are 3 ways to keep your room temperature cooler without racking up your bills:

1. Use the thermostat to your advantage

Set your thermostat a few degrees higher while you’re away from home. This will ensure that your home is still comfortably cool when you return, while also reducing your overall energy consumption. Try not to go too high or too low on the temperatures, and set your thermostat to a somewhat tolerable degree. The U.S Department of Energy recommends 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Block the sunlight

Sun brings us light and heat, and one doesn’t go without the other. By darkening your rooms, they’ll naturally be colder and you won’t need to turn on the AC as much. Lower the blinds or invest in solar screens to keep the heat out of your home. If you choose to do it, make sure that your west- and east-facing windows are covered, as they are the most exposed.

Even if you don’t want to invest in screens, you can still keep your rooms cool. Close the windows on the east and west sides of the house and make your rooms as dark as possible. Of course, leave enough sunlight so that you can still comfortably move around without needing to switch on the lights.

3. Service your AC regularly

Scheduling annual AC tuneups is a must if you want to keep your air conditioners healthy and efficient. That being said, there are also a few simple maintenance tasks you can perform on your own without the need to call the pros. 

For example, changing the filter improves air quality, increases efficiency, and can prevent compressor failure and other AC-related problems. You should also keep the area around the condenser clear of any debris or dirt, as it can easily become clogged.

The thermostat should also be checked every once in a while, as it can break over time and display the wrong temperature or send faulty signals to your AC. If you suspect your thermostat may be faulty and changing the batteries doesn’t help, call in a HVAC technician.

Do you live in Chandler and want to hire a professional AC repair company? 

Air conditioners are complex devices that contain many potential points of failure. If your AC isn’t operating as it should, refrain from attempting to resolve the problem yourself and call in a reputable HVAC company such as Hughes Air. 

We’re a long-standing HVAC contractor that offers a wide range of HVAC repair, maintenance, and installation services across Chandler and the surrounding communities. Call us today and have a fun day at the Chandler Museum while we make short work of any AC-related problems you may have.

People today are increasingly more aware of the negative effects the technologies we use on a daily basis have on the environment. That’s why modern devices are specifically designed to be as energy-efficient as possible, while harmful chemicals such as the old Freon AC refrigerant are being discontinued and replaced with more eco-friendly alternatives. 

But what about the AC you use to cool down your home? Is it true that newer ACs not only spend a lot less power, but also don’t require air conditioning repair nearly as often as their older counterparts do? Is equipping your home in Chandler going to significantly reduce your energy expenditures? Read on to learn the answers to these questions. 

Do air conditioners use a lot of electricity?

Air conditioners work in a similar way to refrigerators. If you live in an apartment or a small house, a split-system air conditioning unit is a highly cost-effective cooling option. However, when buying one, make sure to install it in an optimal spot to enable the air to circulate without obstacles.

On the other hand, if your house is larger and you need more window units to cool it down, investing in a central air conditioning system is likely the more cost-effective option. These systems are also easy to install, as they only need to be hooked up to your existing heating ducts. 

Energy-wise, air conditioning and other cooling units use:

• Window unit – between 0.9 and 1.8 kWh
• Central unit – between 3 and 3.5 kWh
• Ceiling fan – between 0.025 and 0.075 kWh
• Whole house fan – between 0.2 and 0.4 kWh
• Pedestal fan – 0.03 kWh

As you can see, energy consumption of air conditioners is nothing compared to a fridge, which uses 90-150 kWh. Adding an air conditioning unit won’t significantly increase your electricity bill as much and can even save you money. The only question that remains is: which air conditioner should you choose?

Are new air conditioners more energy efficient?

If we look at the history of air conditioners, we can conclude that the first ones were not so cheap and very energy-consuming. When the U.S. Department of Energy passed legislation in 1992 regarding the air conditioning requirements, only ACs that had an efficiency of 6 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) were allowed to be produced and sold.

This number was changed in 2006 to 13 SEER, so most of today’s older air conditioners have this efficiency. Newer models are rated from 14 to 20 SEER. This change occurred because the higher the SEER, the less power the unit consumes. Using newer models also improves the quality of the airflow and, combined with the HVAC filter, helps in purifying the air and keeping it free of allergens, dust, and dander.

If you choose a central air conditioning unit, you’ll get a thermostat as well, which makes it even easier to control your AC. What’s more, getting a central AC unit doesn’t necessarily mean an increase to your electricity bills. Depending on the outdoor temperatures, setting your thermostat down to a lower temperature can even be cost-effective.

Where can I find the best air conditioning repair service in Chandler?

Although modern ACs are built to last, they still need to be serviced on a regular basis to remain as efficient as possible. That’s where Hughes Air comes in. Our team of HVAC experts in Chandler is ideally equipped to install, repair, and maintain your air conditioners, regardless of model, production date, or size. Take a day off and visit the Arizona Railway Museum while we make any AC-related problems you may have disappear!