If your AC drives your energy bills through the roof, contact the professionals at S&L Air Conditioning and Heating in Bowie, MD, for help maintaining a comfortable temperature efficiently. Call us today at (301) 709-3986!
Surging prices have affected every part of American life in the last few years, and energy bills have stressed families working hard to maintain everyday necessities. Many Bowie residents ask, “Will a new AC unit lower my electric bill?”
Learn some of the most common tips Bowie’s skilled air conditioning installation contractor gives customers to help save energy while keeping their homes and businesses comfortable.
Update Home Insulation
Even the most modern and efficient AC system will struggle to cool a home with poor insulation. Proper insulation and sealing facilitate improved efficiency for lower bills throughout the year.
Attics are typically where insulation is most important — and most lacking. In summer and winter, air from the harsh outside climate rushes through gaps and uninsulated areas at the highest points in buildings.
Weatherproofing is also essential. Inspect and replace weather stripping and cracks or gaps in ductwork. Air flows through even small cracks at an alarming rate. The last thing a homeowner wants to do is spend money to pump cool air into the crawlspace underneath their home.
Choose the Right Size AC Unit
Simply measuring the square footage of your home only tells you some of what you need to know about choosing the right size AC unit. The local climate in Bowie, MD, and the surrounding area differs from other parts of the country that go into the generic “per square foot” metrics. Your HVAC contractor will evaluate that factor along with your home’s insulation, windows, weather sealing, shading, and other elements to recommend the right size unit for your needs.
British Thermal Units (BTUs) measure the power of an AC to cool air. Most residential AC units measure from 12,000 to 60,000 BTUs.
AC Units That Are Too Large Waste Energy
While a higher BTU system provides more cooling power, it is more expensive since it consumes more energy with each cooling cycle. These units also run in shorter cycles, leading to higher humidity inside homes when not operating.
AC Units That Are Too Small Waste Energy
Mismatched units with low BTU measures provide less cooling power, causing them to work overtime to maintain a set temperature. In addition to the extra energy they consume, the extra stress they experience leads to a greater risk of costly breakdowns.
The best way to answer the question, “Will a new AC unit lower my electric bill?” is to first learn the right sized unit for your home by calling a professional HVAC contractor. Your technician will evaluate the right unit to lower your electricity bills with a new AC. They’ll also consider other factors when helping you choose a new AC unit, recommending the perfect system for your needs.
Understand Cost Savings With an Upgraded AC Unit
If your system is getting older, it may use far more energy than it should for several reasons. The nature of air conditioning technology is stressful to hardware over time, and all systems eventually stop working as well as they did when new. The energy efficiency of new air conditioners is superior to models produced just a few years ago.
Every AC unit is assigned a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the system is. As recently as the 1990s, the low-end standard for SEER was 10. Currently, high-efficiency systems are rated as high as 25.
Higher-rated systems typically have a higher upfront cost but produce greater energy savings over the unit’s lifespan. Your HVAC contractor will help you evaluate the costs and benefits of various systems that efficiently serve your home’s needs. They can help you understand the impact of a new AC unit on your electric bills.
Let S&L Air Conditioning and Heating in Bowie, MD, Help With Skyrocketing Energy Costs
“Will a new AC unit lower my electric bill?” The answer depends on the points discussed above and your situation and involves more than setting thermostats. S&L’s highly experienced team of experts is committed to providing top-notch customer service, upfront pricing, and helpful guidance about reduced energy costs with new AC units. We are ready to assist you with professional advice to control your energy costs.
Call S&L Air Conditioning and Heating in Bowie, MD, today at (301) 709-3986 for help with your heating and air conditioning needs.