You might be thinking, “Well, of course I’m paying too much for my air conditioning! Energy prices are crazy these days.”
We get it, paying “too much” can be a little subjective. But what if we told you that you don’t have to pay that much and that there are things you can do to actually save money from month to month on your utility costs? It’s true, you can!
There are efficiency-boosting tips you can use in order to cool your home, stay comfortable, and spend less. If you’re not doing any of these things we’re about to share, then it definitely is a sign that you are paying too much for your air conditioning.
Sign #1: You’re Not Scheduling Annual or Biannual Maintenance
Air conditioners are like cars in that they are large, complex pieces of machinery that need proper care in order to get you from point A to point B. In the case of cooling, this means getting you from a hot and uncomfortable home to a cool one!
In order to do this reliably each and every summer, it needs proper tune-ups. During maintenance tune-ups, our technicians fully inspect, clean, and adjust the components that need it to ensure that everything is working as it should.
Professional maintenance helps you avoid up to 85% of the repair costs an air conditioner might ever need in its lifetime, and helps the system retain up to 95% of its original efficiency rating throughout its lifespan too! Maintenance also helps your air conditioner retain it’s useful service life of 10-15 years.
Our Protection Plan maintenance program offers a number of membership options, with the most expensive being only $20 a month, or $240 a year. When you consider that without routine, professional maintenance you could be spending thousands each year on repairs once your air conditioner reaches a certain age, due to wear and tear, it’s easy to see how you might be paying too much on your air conditioning!
Maintenance for a standard central air conditioning system should be done once a year. We typically recommend the spring, since that’s before you need your system the most. But consistency matters more than timing, in this case. And if you have a year-round heat pump system, you should actually have a professional tune it up twice a year.
Other Signs You’re Paying Too Much for Air Conditioning
Maintenance will help your system operate as efficiently as possible, for as long as possible. Skipping maintenance, though, isn’t the only sign that you’re paying too much for air conditioning. Other signs include:
Sign #2: You’re Not Using Your Ceiling Fans. These help better distribute the cooled air so you can set your thermostat at a more reasonable temperature.
Sign #3: You’re Setting the Thermostat Too Low. Most people are comfortable at a 78°F temperature setting. Going too low just makes your air conditioner run longer, it doesn’t help your home cool down faster!
Sign #4: You’ve Never Changed the Air Filter. This filter should be changed every 1-3 months during periods of use. Otherwise, it can restrict airflow and lead to your air conditioner not working as efficiently as it should. It could even eventually lead to an AC breakdown!
Contact our team when you need high-quality, reliable air conditioning services. Comfort First Heating and Cooling, Inc., where we put your comfort first!