Month: May 2019

As the summer months approach, we are all looking to save some pennies where we can. So why not start with your costly utility bills?

The US Department of Energy says that air conditioning can account for 35 to 40 percent of your utility bill here in AZ. At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we take energy efficiency seriously. We understand sometimes high energy bills are unavoidable when air conditioning is crucial for comfort during the hot months. That’s why our five simple tips for staying cool and using your air conditioner less may help you cut costs and save money on your monthly energy bill.

1. Don’t run your AC when you aren’t home.

The easiest and quickest way to save money is to not use your air conditioner when you don’t need it or aren’t at home. One convenient way to do this is to invest in one of our smart or programmable thermostats.

You can program these thermostats to turn the air conditioner on half an hour before you get home to Tucson, so you will not have to wait for the house to cool down after work. Our company offers a variety of thermostat options to fit every home, so call us for more information or to schedule your installation today.

2. Turn up the temperature.

When you are home, turn your air conditioning up a few degrees. If you are comfortable at 68 degrees, turn it up to 70, and keep it turned up at night. Just doing these two things can save you up to 10 percent on your monthly bill.

Supplement the warmer temperature by making use of ceiling fans and bed fans. Air circulation is a huge factor in keeping cool. Our bodies have their own evaporative cooling system (sweat), and utilizing fans to keep air circulating helps us use this to stay cool.

3. Keep up with regular maintenance.

We strongly recommend regular air conditioner maintenance to keep your unit running as efficiently as possible. You should schedule a professional tune-up at least once a season, but there are a few additional things you can do yourself.

Check, clean, and/or replace your air filter. Airflow is so important for efficient air conditioner function, and a dirty or clogged air filter is the prime suspect when a unit is using too much energy.

4. Inspect your air ducts.

For effective cooling in your home, it’s also important to have functioning air ducts. Without adequate duct insulation, sizing, or sealing, your air conditioning system will not be able to efficiently carry cool air from room to room. If this is the case, you will end up pushing out more air than you are using and paying a fortune on your monthly energy bill.

You can prevent this by looking around your home for blocked registers, or disconnected or damaged ducts. If you suspect an issue with your ductwork, or find air leaking into unwanted places like your attic or crawl space, call one of our professionals to come repair and restore proper airflow to your ducts.

5. Remember to shade.

Keeping your outdoor condenser shaded and cool can save you up to 10 percent on your bill. Check the condenser for debris and growth, and clear away anything covering the coils. Keeping the coils exposed is important for airflow. Be sure you clean the coils at the beginning of each season before using your system for the first time.

We Want to Help You Save

When it’s time to service your air conditioner or if you need additional advice on how to cut your energy costs, please call us at 520-230-5668 or request service online. We at ACS Air Conditioning Services want to keep you comfortable through all weather conditions and help you save money in the long run.

There’s a new Air Conditioning technology in town, and it’s duct-less. It works in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Instead of a duct system, there is one outdoor unit, and indoor units in each of the zones that you want to treat. Many of these systems can cool in summer and heat in winter. The system is very scalable. You can install as many indoor units as you need, and each one runs independently. The indoor units can be hung off the ceiling or mounted up high on the wall out of the way. A small hole needs to be drilled to accommodate tubing that runs from the indoor units to the outdoor one. The tubing includes power, refrigerant and condensate.This may provide more security than a window unit. The ductless systems does need to be installed by professional HVAC technicians. This system has been in use around the world, but only recently has become popular in the USA.

Pros

Its small size and flexibility make it a great choice for single rooms or add ons, especially where ducts may not be an option. Each zone has its own thermostat. This could be a huge cost savings as you’ll only treat the air in the zones that you want air conditioning or heating. Since it is ductless, it is quite efficient. A leaky duct system can cause up to 30 percent of the heat loss in a system. Mini-Splits are great for Indoor Air Quality as ducts are known to collect dust and other contaminants

Cons

As an initial investment, they’re not cheap. They cost about $1,500 to $2,000 per ton. That’s about 30 percent higher than central air, and about double the cost of a traditional window unit of similar capacity. Some don’t like that the unit is inside the home, and very visible. Also, there needs to be a way to drain the unit. Since Mini-Splits haven’t really caught on yet here in the USA, you’ll need to find an HVAC company is up to speed on them.

The Long Run

Sure the price tag is steep, most initial investments are like that. With this new technology you’ll definitely see a decrease in your energy bill. You won’t have ducts to clean and maintain. You may notice an increase in your air quality and comfort in your home or office. And, you may come to enjoy the flexibility of controlling the climate per zones. Like any investment, the payoff is in the long run right?

Call Us for Help

At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we can help you decide what is best for you. The size and location of your home, as well as the climate, are all factors in finding the right system for you. Call ACS Air Conditioning Services at 520-230-5668 or request service online. We are here to help you find the most cost-effective option we can.