Break the Habit of Wasting Money with These Four A/C Upgrades
It can be difficult to break a bad habit. For example, a majority of homeowners ignore the best practices to best control their energy efficiency when it comes to indoor climate control. Instead of switching off their system when the home is absent, many either carelessly or misguidedly leave their system running constantly throughout the day. Others have trouble keeping tabs on their A/C simply because their homes are constantly occupied, or they have a schedule where taking the time to constantly adjust the thermostat isn’t a viable option.
However, with a few simple modifications to a home, anyone can kick off this month with lower energy bills at no expense to personal comfort. In addition to potentially saving hundreds of dollars monthly, homeowners can also feel happy that these energy-saving practices will prevent some of these common A/C problems. Here are four upgrades that I’d recommend to just about anyone who wants to stretch every dollar spent on their monthly energy bill:
Programmable thermostat
If you’re the absent-minded sort, or if you have pets to care for while away from home, it can save you a huge percentage of your monthly costs to program your thermostat according to your schedule. Unless your particular pet is sensitive to warmth or coldness, lowering your thermostat when you’re absent presents no risk. Models differ on flexibility – some allow you to program several different “routines” to follow, and others allow you to set it according to a weekly program. These inexpensive and easily installed modifications are a must for anyone who can benefit from an automated A/C.
Zoned climate control
While a fairly expensive feature, zoned climate control pay themselves off over years of use. This feature allows you to separately control the temperature of each individual space within a home, meaning you can maximize your system to accommodate each individual in each different room. This means greater comfort, reduced energy usage, and no dreaded “cold spots” in your home’s environment. For those willing to part with a higher initial investment, you can’t beat the benefits of a zoned system.
Smart phone integration
If you’re one of the many individuals equipped with a smart phone, you might not realize that an upgrade to your system can help you adjust your thermostat whether you’re home, on the bus to work, or sitting at your desk miles away. Being able to check if your thermostat is on and being able to adjust it while you’re away can be lifesaver for the forgetful, and being able to check if anyone in your home is adjusting the thermostat when you’re gone can help you keep tabs on how your energy is being spent. Smart phone home integration is a truly exciting concept, and it’s surely giving the “universal home remote” idea of yesterday a run for its money.
A maintenance schedule
No matter how hi-tech and cutting edge your system is, a system cannot function efficiently forever if it doesn’t receive regular maintenance. Many of these tasks can be handled by the DIY types, particularly when it comes to changing filters or performing other basic cleaning tasks. When a system is left to go for months or even years without proper maintenance, it will inevitably produce weaker airflow, poorer performance, and even system failure. A dirty coil alone can impede a system’s efficiency by an entire 40%!
While it certainly isn’t fancy or new, keeping your maintenance calendar up-to-date can go a long way in making sure that every dollar you spend on your household’s comfort is wisely spent.
Author bio: Jason Wall works with Griffith Energy as a HVAC technician. Recently, he finished upgrading his own system in anticipation of a heavy winter season. He enjoys reaching out to other professionals and clients online about better practices.
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Category: Energy, Family Finances
