6 Air Conditioning Service Tips And Tricks On How To Lower Energy Bills | Fort Worth, TX

6 Air Conditioning Service Tips And Tricks On How To Lower Energy Bills | Fort Worth, TX

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The average electric bill in Texas is about $140. Those who rely on the air conditioning to have a cool and comfortable home will see that a large chunk of their electric bill goes to the AC unit. If your energy bills are climbing completely out of hand, there are many different air conditioning service tips and tricks that you can implement to lower them again.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common tips and tricks recommended during air conditioning services in this article. If you notice that your AC unit is running less and less efficiently, it may also be a good idea to assess whether it’s time to replace it or not during the next air conditioning service.

Regardless of what troubles you, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth, TX can help. Our licensed technicians can inspect your unit to determine whether there are any issues that need to be addressed or resolved immediately.

#1. Choose the Right Size

First things first, you need to determine whether the AC unit is the right size for your home. For some reason, some people believe that bigger is better. However, that’s not necessarily true for HVAC systems. Having a bigger system will not mean that the AC system needs less power and energy to operate.

In fact, the opposite is often true. If your HVAC system is too big for your home, the air conditioner will cycle on and off too quickly. This actually means that it will use a lot more energy and that you will see an increase in your overall monthly cost. Another thing to note is that this type of system will usually not stay long enough to really filter or dehumidify the air in your home, so the air quality within the home worsens. Worst of all, all of these factors will contribute to a shorter overall lifespan.

If it’s time for you to replace the air conditioning unit in your home, look for an air conditioning service that will assess the needs of your household to determine what the right size AC unit will be.

#2. Get Regular Maintenance

Many homeowners in Fort Worth, TX often forget to get regular air conditioning services. Air conditioning services may not feel necessary at times. This is especially true if the AC unit appears to be running smoothly and working efficiently. Many homeowners only call for air conditioning services when there is something wrong. However, this often means that the problem has become much worse than it needs to be.

To keep your energy pills as low as possible, you need to make sure that your HVAC system is running at peak performance. This means that you should get regular maintenance. This includes things like having a licensed technician clean and change the filters, inspect the unit for leaks and assess the overall performance of the unit.

Many experts recommend getting air conditioning services once or twice a year. In general, it’s always a good idea to get the AC unit checked during the spring before you’ll be turning the units on regularly.

Ask for Quotes from Several Companies

If you haven’t decided on an HVAC company to complete the air-conditioning services just yet, you should highly consider getting quotes from multiple places. This will allow you to get a better idea of what the prices are like in your area, so you know whether you’re getting a good deal or getting taken for a ride! Also, make sure that you look at reviews to see how other people feel about the air conditioning services that they received.

#3. Insulation Matters

The condition and type of insulation that you have surrounding the indoor and outdoor parts of the AC unit matters. Insulation will protect your AC unit against condensation and will provide moisture control in order to ensure thermal efficiency. If moisture seeps into the insulating material surrounding the cold water piping, your AC unit will lose a lot of thermal efficiency.

The type of insulation that you choose will also affect the overall efficiency of the unit. Most experts recommend foam insulation, as it is a closed cell elastomeric insulation that has a built in water vapor retardant. It offers excellent water resistance and long-term durability.

During the air conditioning service, our experts will inspect the condition of the insulation. If the insulation is wearing down or even damaged in some areas, we can replace it immediately.

Watch Out for Leaks

One of the best ways that you can tell that the insulation is damaged is if you see leakages both indoors or outdoors. Leakages usually mean that the insulation is no longer protecting the pipes. Due to this reason, condensation is forming on the AC unit and dripping down. You may notice that there are water stains on your wall or that there’s a puddle of water underneath the AC unit outdoors.

#4. Have Clean New Filters

It’s crucial to have clean, new filters In your AC system. If the filters are clogged or dirty, your AC unit will need to spend a lot more effort in regulating the temperature inside the room. This is why most Fort Worth, TX air conditioning services start off by inspecting the condition of the filter.

In general, most experts recommend that you get the filter changed every 3 to 4 months. Depending on the type of filter that you have, you may be able to get away with cleaning the filter instead of replacing it. When you’re replacing the filter, take the time to assess whether the type of filter that you’ve chosen is still meeting the needs of your household. It may be a good idea to switch to a different time if you notice that the filter isn’t effectively removing allergens from the air.

If you have pets in your home, you may need to get air conditioning services more regularly. Pet dander is more likely to clog up new filters, causing them to run less efficiently than before. Some experts recommend cleaning and changing the filters every 2 to 3 months instead of every 3 to 4 months if you own furry pets.

A Look at Different Types of AC Filters

There are many different types of filters available for residential systems. Some of them include:

  • Fiberglass air filters. These filters are disposable and one of the most affordable options out there. However, they’re not as great at keeping small particles out of your system. This is this reason that this is not a great option for those who have allergies and respiratory conditions.

 

  • Pleated air filters. These are often made from cotton or polyester. They’re a bit more expensive than fiberglass and do a better job of filtering smaller particles like mould spores, pet dander and pollen.

 

  • HEPA filters. These filters are great for those who struggle with allergies or respiratory conditions. They can screen up to 99.97% of pollen, dirt and dust particles in the air.

 

  • UV filters. This is some of the best air filters out there because the UV filters can kill microbes that are in the air. With that said, these filters don’t do that great of a job at removing contaminants like dirt and dust.

Our air conditioning service can take a look at the type of filter that might be most appropriate for your knees and your household. We can help you figure out whether you should stick with what you already have or whether you should switch to something else. We can also check to see if the filter size is doing an effective job at removing contaminants within the air.

#5. Choose the Thermostat Location Wisely

The location where the thermostat is installed matters. In fact, it matters a lot. One of the most important air conditioning services will involve looking at whether the thermostat is installed in the right location within your home. The thermostat is considered as the main regulator of your home’s HVAC system. It needs to be in the right spot for everything to be working efficiently and effectively.

If the thermostat is located near a drafty window that’s constantly cool, it can give very inaccurate readings. This will cause the AC to run less efficiently as it will not raise the indoor air to the right temperature. This in turn will cause you to turn the AC on even higher. These fluctuations can result in more energy usage.

The same can be said for situations where the thermostat is located directly above a vent or in a spot that receives direct sunlight. In these situations, the opposite problem will occur. The thermostat will detect a temperature that is much higher than the ambient room temperature. As a result, it will try to cool down the room even more.

If you find that your AC unit is not running efficiently, you should have one of your licensed technicians check whether your thermostat is installed in the right location during the next air conditioning service. If it’s not, our licensed technicians may be able to reinstall it at a better location.

Adjust Settings throughout the Day

Instead of turning the AC unit on and off during the day, you can adjust the thermostat throughout the day in order to give the unit a break. For example, when you’re leaving your home, do not turn off the unit.

Instead, set the interior temperature a few degrees higher than what you’re comfortable with or used to. This will help reduce energy usage in your home without affecting your overall comfort. It also means that your AC unit will not have to run as hard to get the ambient room temperature back down to a temperature that you’re comfortable with or happy with once you return. This little tip could really help you save a lot of money on your energy bills, as the savings will add up over time.

#6. Avoid Turning the System On and Off

Another common misconception that many people have is that they will save money on their energy if they turn the AC off whenever they leave the room. This probably comes from the fact that you’ll save money if you turn the lights off in a room and leave it. However, this is actually not the case with HVAC systems.

If you turn your air conditioning on and off multiple times throughout the entire day, you’ll actually end up using a lot more energy. On top of all of this, this actually puts a lot of strain on your AC unit. It will need to try to cool down a home that’s a lot warmer than before. Instead of turning the AC system on and off, you should really consider installing a programmable thermostat during the next air conditioning service, as it will give you a lot more control over the home’s temperature.

Smart thermostats are extremely popular nowadays. They not only allow you to have precise control over the temperature within your rooms, but they will also allow you to remotely control the settings from a phone or other type of platform.

Call Us for Air Conditioning Services in Fort Worth, TX

Regular air conditioning services can ensure that your AC unit runs as efficiently as possible. We can also ensure that your AC unit is not going to rack up large energy bills. If you notice that your energy bills are becoming more and more expensive year after year, it may be a good idea to let our licensed technicians know. This way, they’ll know what to inspect for it when they come in for the service.

One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth is one of the most reputable HVAC companies in Texas. We are able to offer timely and affordable air conditioning services for both residential and commercial properties. Give us a call to schedule an appointment for your home.