Assessing AC efficiency is a critical but often overlooked step in ensuring your comfort and saving money on energy costs. Apart from energy savings, it also helps extend your AC unit’s lifespan and improve indoor air quality. Unfortunately, many homeowners ignore their AC unit’s efficiency until it’s too late. This often leads to costly repairs or a replacement.
Here are four expert tips for assessing your AC’s efficiency:
1. Check the AC Unit’s SEER Rating
This is a measure of how much cooling the AC unit produces per unit of energy consumed. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the AC unit is. To find out your AC unit’s SEER rating, look for the yellow EnergyGuide label. This label is required by the U.S. Department of Energy on all new air conditioners. The SEER rating will be listed as a number between 13 and 23.
HVAC experts at Efficient Air Service note that a higher SEER rating means greater efficiency and lower energy costs. Most homeowners just upgrade or install an AC unit without checking the SEER rating, which is a mistake. Understanding an AC unit’s SEER rating helps you decide whether it’s time to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model.
Note: If your AC unit is more than 12 years old, it likely has a SEER rating of only 13. Upgrading to a new AC unit with a SEER rating of 16 can save you up to 30% on energy costs.
2. Inspect the AC’s Ductwork
Your ductwork is one of the most critical parts of your AC system. It plays a significant role in delivering conditioned air to your home. If there are leaks in the ductwork, it can cause your AC unit to work harder and use more energy. Leaks in the ductwork can decrease AC efficiency by up to 30%. Some of the signs of AC ductwork leaks include:
- Higher than normal energy bills
- Uneven cooling in different parts of the house
- Excessive dust in the home
- Hot and cold spots in the house
If you suspect your AC unit has ductwork leaks, it’s important to have it inspected by a professional. They can use special equipment to test for leaks and repair them. In some cases, you can plug small leaky ducts and save yourself money.
3. Educate Yourself on AC Sizing
An AC unit that’s too small for your home will have to work harder to cool the space, resulting in wasted energy. Similarly, an AC unit that’s too large will cycle on and off more frequently, leading to wasted energy and higher utility bills. The best way to ensure your AC unit is the right size for your home is to have a load calculation done by a professional.
They will consider factors like the size of your home, the insulation, the windows, and more. Once they have this information, they can properly size an AC unit for your home. If you’ve made any home additions or renovations since your last AC unit was installed, it’s a good idea to have a new load calculation done to ensure your AC unit is still the proper size.
4. Perform an Annual Tune-up on Your AC Unit
This will help ensure that all of the AC unit’s components are working properly and operating at peak efficiency. During a tune-up, a professional will clean the AC unit’s coils and fins, check the refrigerant levels, and inspect all electrical components. They will also lubricate moving parts to prevent friction and change the air filter.
It’s important to have your AC unit serviced by a professional at least once a year. This will help to prevent small problems from turning into big, expensive ones. The goal is to keep your AC unit running smoothly and efficiently for as long as possible.
Enjoy a More Efficient AC
Following these expert tips will help you assess your AC unit’s efficiency and take steps to improve it. This will save you money on your energy bills and keep your home comfortable all year.
