As both seasons and priorities change, keeping the house warm and affordable gives way to conserving AC while still staying cool. Warming weather and rising utility costs represent ever-present factors in your household budget. Conserving AC effectively helps keep those expenses down while also reducing wear and tear on air-conditioning units. Here are some straightforward steps you can take to moderate the costs of keeping cool this spring and summer.

• Change the air filter. A typical central air conditioner runs between 12 and 16 hours per day. If you use the air filters that need to be replaced montly, be sure to do so. A clogged AC air filter makes the system run even longer cycles to achieve the thermostat settings. Even an average dirty filter can mean 15% more electrical consumption and commensurately higher monthly bills.
• Upgrade the thermostat. An old-school manual thermostat belongs in the thermostat museum — not on the wall of your home. Digital programmable thermostats ensure that temperature changes conform to preprogrammed schedules. This eliminates inconsistent, up-and-down, manual temperature settings that make an air conditioner operate less efficiently and cost more. The Department of Energy estimates that proper use of a programmable thermostat can save, on average, about $180 per year.
• Use ceiling fans. The gentle air circulation from a ceiling fan makes a room feel several degrees cooler without you having to lower the main unit’s thermostat setting. However, running a ceiling fan typically consumes 99% less electricity than your central AC. It’s a win-win scenario that enhances comfort while also curtailing AC power consumption.
• Schedule professional AC maintenance. Precision maintenance tune ups by a certified HVAC technician ensures efficient, effective, and reliable cooling throughout the coming summer months. In addition to keeping operating costs low and reducing system wear and tear, the service includes an up-close inspection to identify components that may be in marginal condition and therefore require repair or replacement. Also, professional maintenance is generally required to keep the system warranty valid.

Conserving AC means increased savings and enhanced comfort. Ask the professionals at Jackson & Sons for effective ways of conserving AC and staying both cool and affordable this spring and summer.