Air conditioning is used throughout the United States, and roughly 66% of American households have air conditioners. These systems use around 5% of the total electricity produced in this country, and cost homeowners over $11 billion to operate every year.
Industry Advancements
Given industry advancements, particularly over the past 10 years, more efficient systems are available. Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) ratings have been developed to determine the most efficient systems. Furthermore, there are more clean air products available to improve a home’s interior air quality.
High-Efficiency Systems
When homeowners choose to have high-efficiency systems installed, they can potentially reduce their overall energy use by 20% to 50%. This does take into consideration that they engage in other actions to keep their homes cool. These include making sure their homes are well-insulated and free of drafts. Doors and windows should also be kept closed while running these systems.
ENERGY STAR certified central air conditioners are over 15% more efficient than their conventional counterparts. Since they have higher SEER and energy efficiency ratio (EER) ratings, it makes sense to upgrade to these models.
The Importance of Regular Maintenance
Experts concur that air conditioning systems need to receive regular maintenance. This applies to central air equipment as well as individual units. Just 42% of the homes that are using central air systems are having them serviced on an annual basis, however.
When air conditioning systems, fans, and similar equipment aren’t properly maintained and repaired when necessary, this can potentially cause fires. In 2010, for example, there were approximately 7,400 home structure fires reported that could have been prevented by regular maintenance and repairs.
When Air Conditioner Repair Service is Needed
Since the air conditioning systems in 20% of the homes constructed in the 1980s are over 20 years old, these could be replaced with high-efficiency models. So, too, could other homes with older, inefficient systems.
When components are over 15 years old, it’s recommended that these or the entire system should be replaced. In addition to having a more efficient cooling system, this will also assist homeowners with saving energy and reducing overall operation costs.
If an air conditioning system isn’t properly maintained, a variety of issues can arise. When this occurs, there are a few signs that an air conditioner repair service is needed. If the system isn’t operating properly, it would be a good idea to have it checked for broken parts, leaky ducts, or other issues.
When there is excessive dust inside a house, it could be a sign that the ducts are leaking. Furthermore, this can also create excessive humidity within a home, which is obviously counterproductive.
An air conditioning repair company will be able to evaluate a system’s efficiency during routine inspections and maintenance visits. These experts can determine when air conditioner repair service is needed. Furthermore, an air conditioning contractor will also be able to notify homeowners when a system needs to be replaced, and be able to discuss the benefits of ENERGY STAR certified systems.
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