When it comes to staying cool in Festus, MO, saving money is the name of the game. After all, powering your air conditioner to keep your home cool throughout a long Missouri summer can be quite expensive. The good news is that there are ways to ensure that your air conditioner uses less energy. One of the most dramatic and beneficial options is to replace your air conditioner with a new model. Deciding whether it’s worth it to overhaul your system will be much easier after you read this guide from Bone Heating & Cooling.
The Air Conditioner Consumes More Energy Than Anything Else
You might be surprised to learn that most of the components in your air conditioner use relatively little energy. While there are multiple components that require electricity, the main energy user in any air conditioner is the compressor. This component does the hard work of increasing the pressure of the refrigerant in the system by compressing it. At a higher temperature, the refrigerant is able to shed heat while it’s outside your home so that it can eventually cool down to the point that it can pull heat from your home when it moves inside.
Understanding the SEER Rating
Every air conditioner comes with a SEER rating. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Ratio. This rating measures how much cooling capacity a particular air conditioner produces compared to the amount of energy it uses. Higher SEER ratings characterize systems that are more efficient. The good news is that the minimum SEER rating for air conditioners continues to go up. The current minimum SEER rating is 13, and a minimum rating of 14 will be required in just under two years. Considering that the minimum SEER rating was 10 in 1992, it’s easy to see just how much air conditioners have improved.
Efficiency Gains
While it’s easy to grasp that newer systems are more efficient, what might not be easy to understand is how that efficiency is achieved. The main way that companies improve the efficiency of their air conditioners is by improving the efficiency of the compressor. Most modern compressors feature a multi-speed motor that allows for lower-speed operation on cooler days. This ability to change motor speeds based on weather conditions saves a considerable amount of energy. Plus, newer refrigerants used by Bone Heating & Cooling are more efficient at absorbing and expelling heat, meaning that the other components don’t have to work as hard to keep your home comfortable.
When Replacement Makes Sense
When thinking through the exceptional efficiency of new air conditioners from Bone Heating & Cooling, it can be tempting to replace your current air conditioner as soon as possible. However, it’s important to take into account a few factors before you make this major investment. First, consider the age of your air conditioner. If your system is more than 15 years old, which is when the government put the new efficiency standards in place, then replacement might make sense. Of course, if your current air conditioner is costing you a lot to maintain and repair, it makes much more sense to install a new system so that you can save money in multiple ways.
Maintaining Your Energy Savings
Whether your air conditioner is old or new, proper maintenance is a key factor in determining its energy efficiency. That’s why Bone Heating & Cooling recommends having your air conditioner maintained at least once a year. During routine maintenance, a technician from Bone Heating & Cooling will check your system’s electrical connections, lubricate all moving parts, check your refrigerant line for proper pressurization, and ensure that the entire system is clean and in good working order. Another maintenance item that you shouldn’t overlook is the regular replacement of your system’s air filter. You should replace the filter every three months, at minimum, to maintain optimal system performance.
Types of Air Conditioners
When working to find the most efficient cooling system for your home, you’ll quickly find that there are plenty of options to choose from at Bone Heating & Cooling. In addition to the standard systems that are quite popular in Festus, there are ground-source and air-source heat pumps. These systems provide both heating and cooling to your home and do it in such a way as to be exceptionally efficient. You can also opt for a ductless mini-split system if there is a specific room in your home that you need to heat and cool.
Keeping You Cool for Less
At Bone Heating & Cooling, our mission is to save our customers as much money as possible. That’s why we offer highly rated maintenance, repair, and installation for furnaces and air conditioners. Plus, we offer sheet metal fabrication, duct cleaning and installation, fireplace installation, and more. Proudly rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, you can confidently turn to us whenever you have a home comfort need. To learn more about new air conditioners in Festus, contact us at Bone Heating & Cooling today. We look forward to serving your climate comfort needs.
