Getting the Most Out of Your Air Conditioner

With advancements in heating and cooling technology and equipment, we are able to stay cool and comfortable regardless of what the weather is doing. Air conditioning services employ thousands of Americans across the country to specialize in installing, repairing, and maintaining AC service for businesses and residences alike. Today, nearly two-thirds of U.S. homes have some kind of air conditioner: here is everything you need to know to get the most out of your AC unit.

Energy Savings
There has been a recent global concern for energy conservation as new forms of sustainable energy are being tested and introduced each year. Many appliances have energy-saving alternatives to help spearhead this movement, including air conditioners. Between the years 1993 and 2005, energy consumption by residential air conditioning units doubled before increasing an additional 20% by 2010. Although energy consumption has increased, today’s air conditioners use anywhere from 30 to 50% less energy to produce the same degree of cooling as air conditioners dating back to the mid 1970s. Simply replacing the filters of AC units regularly can help to reduce the energy consumption by 5-15%. Newer, high-efficiency air conditioning models can help reduce your home’s energy use by 20-50%.

Extending Service Life
Manufacturers suggest that most heating and cooling units ought to last for an average of 12 years with proper maintenance. The issue here is the fact that only 42% of those with central air conditioning units in the United States have it serviced annually. Not only can proper maintenance extend the service life of your air conditioning units, but it could potentially save your life. There were as many as 2,500 home structure fires between 2006 and 2010 due to poorly maintained or faulty air conditioning and fan equipment; that accounts for 35% of home structure fires in the United States. Don’t put your life or the life of your air conditioner at stake! Have your units properly maintained and consider upgrading to an energy-efficient air conditioner for next summer.