Achieving better energy efficiency in your home is one of the best ways to alleviate high utility bills and reduce the strain on your household appliances. Since a large amount of your electrical budget during the summer goes toward operating your air conditioning system, it is important to focus on ways that you can maximize its efficiency.

One way to increase the energy efficiency of your air conditioning is to invest in upgrades that will make the system draw less power but without sacrificing your comfort.

Here are a few suggestions from Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for upgrades that can lower the energy your air conditioner uses while working its best to keep you cool.

An Upgraded Thermostat

Thermostats have a larger effect on AC efficiency than you probably realize. Older manual thermostat models are often imprecise and inaccurate, that means you will often set them to energy-draining temperatures without realizing it. The current crop of digital programmable thermostats not only increase precision, but they allow you to control the AC when you are not at home. You no longer have to waste power running the air conditioner all day so you can come home in the afternoon to a cool house: instead, you program the AC to turn on a half-hour before you come back.

A Replacement Condensing Unit

If your AC seems to be losing more and more efficiency with the years, you can have the outdoor condensing unit replaced with a new one, instead of replacing the entire air conditioning system. The new condenser will restore the efficiency of the system, and may even make it better than before.

Install a Zone Control System

This upgrade is done to your ventilation system. Technicians fit dampers inside the ductwork that control the flow of air to different parts (“zones”) of the house, and then connect the dampers to individual thermostats. This allows you to shut off cooling to parts of the house that do not require it, such as empty guest rooms. With zone control, you no longer have to expend power cooling down the whole home when only a few locations need it.

Call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning and talk to one of our NATE-certified and EPA-certified technicians for more ideas on how you can increase the energy savings from your AC. We have served Fresno with air conditioning services since 1952, and we can help you get the most from cooling system.

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Tags: Air Conditioning, Fresno
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When the summer heat strikes in Fresno, it can slam down on us like an anvil. You need a sturdy and reliable air conditioning system to help you through the long heat. And just as important, you need to have a reliable HVAC service company to help with maintenance and repairs to make sure your AC keeps you cool all the way through the summer.

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has served the Central Valley since 1952, we have the experience necessary to help you get the most efficient and effective cooling from your air conditioning system.

Of course, keeping the air conditioner working during the heaviest heat can be costly. However, there are ways to keep those costs under control; here are some tips for how to save money during the summer heat waves.

Don’t overwork the AC

It’s tempting to pull the thermostat down to its lowest possible setting when the heat soars. However, this is not only expensive (it keeps the compressor running almost constantly) but it will put tremendous stress on the components that risks a breakdown. You should not set your thermostat lower than 72°F, which is a comfortable temperature that will keep your bills in check and your AC from overworking.

Shut off all non-essential heat-producing appliances

One of the best ways to reduce air conditioning use during heat waves is to lower the amount of heat your air conditioner must combat. If you shut off appliances that generate extra heat during the day time, you can often reduce your air conditioner use by 10% or more. Avoid cooking during the day with stoves and ovens. Do not use indoor laundry facilities. If possible, avoid taking daytime showers, which produce high levels of moisture that makes the heat feel worse.

Schedule maintenance for your air conditioning

This is planning ahead: you should always have a maintenance visit from an HVAC technician once a year to make sure that your air conditioning system is working at its best and provide necessary adjustments, tunings, and cleanings. This will not only make sure that your air conditioner is not costing you extra money to run, but it will also catch potential repair issues that might turn into major repair problems during the stresses of a heat wave. Maintenance is the best preparation you can have for a long summer.

Get started saving money and preparing for the heaviest heat the summer can offer with a call to Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. Sign up for our Ultimate Service Agreement, which includes two seasonal tune-ups for your air conditioner and your heater from NATE-certified technicians, plus preferred customer states and discounts on repairs and upgrades. We are here to help you save money on air conditioning in Fresno, CA all year long.

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Summer is coming and with it comes in inevitable reality of higher air conditioning bills. Here in Fresno, we need our air conditioning systems to run reliably, lest they leave us at the mercy of triple-digit temperatures. Higher bills are a part and parcel of that equation, and to a certain extent we need to accept that fact. But the need for cool temperatures in hot weather can sometimes hide the fact that you’re paying more for your air conditioning service than you need to.

Here Are 3 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Might Become Expensive To Run

• Lack of maintenance. Dust and dirt can build up inside your air conditioner especially here in the Central Valley. That increases friction and reduces efficiency. So does a clogged air filter and any components with loose bolts or fittings. If you haven’t gotten your air conditioner serviced in a while, you might end up paying for it with higher bills this summer.
• Leaky refrigerant. Your air conditioner requires a certain specific level of refrigerant to function. If it doesn’t have it, then ice will form on the evaporator coils. That reduces the efficiency of the unit, forcing it to work harder and increasing strain on the system as a result. A properly trained professional can seal the leak and recharge refrigerant levels for you.
• Breached ducts. Your duct system needs to be closed to the outside air in order to function. If a breach develops, it will either cause cool air to leak out or suck hot air in. Either way, your system won’t function as effectively as it should.

If you spot any of these reasons why your air conditioner might become more expensive to run, the next step is to contact the Fresno air conditioning system experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning immediately. We operate in Fresno, CA, air conditioning systems are our specialty, and we have a sterling reputation for correcting any problems you may have with speed and efficiency. The weather this summer will be too hot to take chances. Give us a call and keep your AC unit functioning the way it should!

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Tags: Air Conditioning, Fresno
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on 3 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Might Become More Expensive to Run