Everyone knows that proper use of the air conditioning system can help minimize cooling costs this summer. The great debate continues, however, on whether homeowners should keep the AC on or not whenever they leave. BND.com resident columnist Roger Schlueter offers enlightenment on this matter:
"Turning the AC off when you leave definitely takes less energy. Period. In my own test, having the AC run all day used 317 percent (more) energy than turning it on after work and cooling it down to the same temperature.
You have to understand one simple scientific principle to realize why: Heat goes to where it's not. That's why an ice cube lying on a table melts. It's basically absorbing heat and the resulting liquid eventually will wind up at room temperature.
So think of your house as a big ice cube."
Haughton locals can apply this practice to their household. This way, they can prevent paying a fortune for cooling especially when summer temperatures get as hot as 94 degrees F (the maximum average in this town). There are also a few ways to make air conditioners energy efficient with the help of a Haughton AC contractor, and minimize cooling costs as a result:
Consider a high-efficiency AC unit.
According to the study of the National Association of Homebuilders or NAHB, the average life expectancy of air conditioners is 10 to 15 years. Homeowners with ACs this old should consider a replacement, making sure to get the unit with excellent energy efficiency. A good place to start is by checking if the unit is ENERGY STAR-compliant.
Ensure proper installation.
For households to maximize an AC’s energy-saving benefits, proper installation is required. An AC that’s incorrectly installed could reduce performance efficiency by up to 30 percent. To ensure correct installation, homeowners should engage the services of an established AC contractor like AccuTemp Cooling and Heating.
Enlist regular maintenance services.
Households with ACs less than 10 years old and still in good condition need not replace their AC units. Instead, they should hire an AC contractor in Haughton for regular maintenance service. By doing so, they could prevent current problems from worsening and identify potential issues that could be addressed on the spot. A well-maintained AC unit preserves its integrity and condition.
Haughton’s hot summer temperature makes an efficient home AC system essential during this season. Relying too much on air conditioning, however, may cause households to incur high energy costs. Fortunately, with the help of AC specialists and methods that promote energy efficiency, high energy bills could be prevented.
(Source: Answer Man: Does turning off AC during the day save money?, bnd.com, June 17, 2014)
