An AC has become a necessity in every household, given that the summer temperatures can get unbearably hot. While it goes without saying that flipping on the AC is a great way of getting some respite, few people know just how much of a difference regular maintenance can make to their electricity bills. Keeping your AC unit in the best state possible is not only about the comfort of your home, but the pocket as well.
Some people might regard routine air conditioning maintenance as an extra expense or a service that can be deferred, but this is not the case. A well-maintained air conditioner does not just run more efficiently, but it also has a tendency to consume less power. With energy prices constantly on the rise, it only makes sense for you to guarantee that your AC system is working at its optimum level in order to reduce your household bills.
The Benefits of a Routine AC Maintenance
First of all, it must be understood that an air conditioner is no different from any other equipment – it needs proper maintenance in order to work properly. Inability to address this issue leads to suboptimal performance and increased operating expenses. However, the question that arises is: what is ‘maintenance’ and how does it relate to energy consumption and/or energy bills? Now it is time to dive deep.
As we have already shown you, one of the most common causes of an air conditioner using more power is that the machine is not well taken care of. Such elements as filters, coils and fins require regular inspection and cleaning. Air filters, for instance, can collect dust and pollen within some months, thus reducing the air flow and performance of a system greatly. One simple thing that you can do is to clean or change the air filter and this will decrease your air conditioner’s energy usage by about 5 to 15 percent.
Similarly, the air conditioner coils have a layer of dirt as they grow old and consequently influence the efficiency of an AC to suck in the heat and, in the long run, the house cooling ability decreases. This is why it is important for these coils to be cleaned as often as possible in a bid to maximize the efficiency levels of the unit. The fins of the coils also tend to get damaged with time (there are instances where they may be bent), which reduces the flow of air within the coils. A “fin comb” can be used to comb these fins to near their original state, thus providing the required airflow.
Practical AC Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
a. Regularly Replace or Clean Air Filters
This can be carried out by the owner themselves and is probably the simplest step toward AC maintenance.
b. Keep the Area Around the Unit Clear of Debris
The external unit of the air conditioning unit should not be covered with twigs, leaves or any other thing. This greatly optimizes air circulation and minimizes the pressure on your unit.
c. Schedule an Annual Check-Up
It is recommended that you should get a professional HVAC technician to check your system at least once a year. They can perform tasks that are more complicated than the simple ones, e.g., measuring the refrigerant, as well as inspecting electrical connections.
The Impact of AC Maintenance on Finances
By following these steps above, not only is the lifespan of the AC unit increased, but it’s also made to run better. This is also reflected in reduced energy costs—a blessing to your pocket and the global environment. From a strictly business sense, it makes a lot of sense.
Consider this: a poorly functioning AC will consume a lot of electricity to cool the room to the same level as a well-maintained AC. This implies that you will incur higher costs in terms of electricity consumption every month. In addition, investing a small amount to continuously maintain your home AC(s) means saving on a significantly larger amount for possible major repairs or possible unit replacements.
Now let’s do the math. For instance, if a failure to maintain reduces the efficiency of a system by 15% and your cooling costs average $100 per month, you end up spending an additional $15 each month because your AC is dirty. When you calculate costs this way, you quickly see that the numbers add up rather dramatically.
Conclusion
Regular maintenance of your air conditioning saves you much money; it is not only a personal preference but a smart decision. Special emphasis on the need to maintain is to be made; this would have the effect of making your house cool as well as have lower bills even during the hottest summer.
With the steps above, and through routine inspections, you can avoid the common problems that your AC system could develop and be able to run it for maximum cooling at minimum cost. Indeed, investing a little time and effort in AC maintenance can go a long way in protecting your wallet.