Cities across Texas have seen above-average temps over recent weeks due to a heat dome sitting over the state, leading many to crank up their air conditions. Many people in Texas, especially in Austin and San Antonio, are facing much higher electric bills because of this, explains Nicole Rosales of KVUE in Austin. Fortunately, there is something that can be done about these increased costs.
Consider a Newer, More Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner.
The Energy Star program was created to reduce carbon footprints and increase the energy efficiency of most homes, and nearly all new air conditioners have some sort of Energy Star rating. Newer, high Energy Star-rated air conditioners use the most advanced technologies to enhance performance and require the least amount of electricity to function. More importantly, many of these newer air conditioners include automated systems to notify users of maintenance or repair problems, which helps keep the unit functioning properly when used throughout the year’s hottest months.
What Air Conditioners Are the Most Energy-Efficient?
Lowering the thermostat of your older model AC can increase your electric bill by up to 4 percent. However, Energy Star-certified air conditioners use up to 8-percent less energy than other models. However, most new units have some sort of Energy Star Rating, so selecting the best, most efficient model can be confusing.
Every year, Energy Star releases a list of the most energy-efficient air conditioners. For 2016, the Coleman Echelon Series™, the Daikin LV and Quaternity Series, the Lennox SL18XC1 and SC20 Series ranked among the highest of Energy Star-Certified units. Meanwhile, the top performers were the LG LAU Series and the Lennox XP25 Series. The full breakdown of the best Energy Star-rated air conditioner models and makes are available online at Energystar.gov.
What Else Can You Do About High Operating Costs of Your Air Conditioner?
Sometimes, even recently installed air conditioners can lose their efficiency. This is often due to poor maintenance. In some cases, using your AC for extended periods, much like you may have been doing in the scorching heat of recent weeks, can cause the unit to become extra dirty, extra fast. Most importantly, dirty coils and filters or clogged drain lines can significantly affect the performance of your AC. Fortunately, repair or maintenance may be able to restore your AC to a more energy-efficient state, especially if your air conditioner is relatively new.
If you’ve noticed your air conditioner doesn’t seem to be helping the heat, your unit could be in need of maintenance, repair or replacement. To learn more about energy-efficient replacement or maintenance options for your existing AC, contact Service First Air Conditioning online or by calling (210) 521-1500 today.