Energy Savings

What are some short-term solutions to improve the efficiency of my existing system?

The US Department of Energy suggests the following:

• Set your thermostat at 78°F or higher.
   
• Use bath and kitchen fans sparingly when the air conditioner is operating.
   
• Inspect and clean both the indoor and outdoor coils. The indoor coil in your air conditioner acts as a magnet for dust because it is constantly wetted during the cooling season. Dirt build-up on the indoor coil is the single most common cause of poor efficiency. The outdoor coil must also be checked periodically for dirt build-up and cleaned if necessary.
   
• Check the refrigerant charge. The circulating fluid in your air conditioner is a special refrigerant gas that is put in when the system is installed. If the system is overcharged or undercharged with refrigerant, it will not work properly. You will need a service contractor to check the fluid and adjust it appropriately.
   
• Reduce the cooling load by using cost-effective conservation measures.
  For example,
  • effectively shade east and west windows
  • When possible, delay heat-generating activities, such as dishwashing, until the evening on hot days.
     
• Over most of the cooling season, keep the house closed tight during the day. Don't let in unwanted heat and humidity.
   
• Try not to use a dehumidifier at the same time your air conditioner is operating. The dehumidifier will increase the cooling load and force the air conditioner to work harder.
   

In addition:

• Consider installing ceiling fans to circulate the air more effectively. The improved circulation will make you feel cooler.
   
• Install a programmable thermostat, too. Using a programmable thermostat, you can schedule the time blocks during which your heating or air-conditioning system operates. As a result, you can set the equipment to more economical settings—such as lower temperatures in winter while you are asleep or when you are away from home. Choose one that can store and repeat multiple daily settings, so that you can have both a workday and a weekend heating/cooling time table. A manual override feature is a great convenience, allowing you to override current settings without affecting the rest of the program.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR® label before purchasing and make certain the thermostat is designed to operate with your system.