Tag: Energy Saving Tips
22 Energy Saving Tips To Save You Money
Little changes that can add up to big savings on your annual cooling costs
With energy prices on the rise, these energy saving tips can amount to big savings on your cooling and heating expense. Energy costs in South Florida are 40% higher than the national average, according to EIA’s Residential Energy Consumption Survey. Your air conditioning system is responsible for up to 60% of your energy consumption in South Florida. With just a few simple changes to your lifestyle and your home, you could be saving hundreds of dollars on your annual energy bills.
- Use ceiling fans to cool off for less. Ceiling fans use no more electricity than a standard light
bulb. However, be sure to turn fans off when you leave the room. - Switch your ceiling fan to turn in a counter-clockwise direction In the summer; in the winter, run it at low speed, but clockwise.
- Cool your home at 78 degrees or higher with the thermostat fan switched to auto. For additional savings, raise your thermostat to 82 degrees or higher when you’re away.
- Install a programmable thermostat to adjust your temperature during the day.
- Close your exterior doors and windows tightly when the AC is on. Save even more by turning off kitchen and bath exhaust fans.
- Window tinting can help reduce room temperature in rooms that have a sunny exposure. Especially a south west exposure in late afternoon when the outside temperature is at its highest.
- Clean or replace the A/C filter at least once per month to help your unit run more efficiently and trim cooling costs.
- Consider purchasing an lifetime electrostatic air filter. It will do a better job of keeping your coil clean and trap allergens better than the thick hypoallergenic disposable air filters that restrict air flow.
- If you have an older air conditioner with a SEER rating of under 16, consider upgrading to a higher efficiency model. Not only will your AC be more efficient, you could also be eligible for a utility company rebate and Energy Star Federal Tax Credit. The higher the SEER rating, the more your will save. Consider a two stage or multi-stage AC unit for even more saving.
- If you have a manual thermostat be sure the fan switch is set to “auto” to save energy. Leaving it in the “on” position keeps air running constantly.
- Block the sun from overheating your home! Inside, use shades, blinds and drapes. Outside, use awnings, trees and shrubs..
- Get a AC tune-up. Running an inefficient AC system can result in high monthly bills.
- Open interior doors so that cooled air flows freely throughout your home.
- Repair leaky ducts to reduce heating and cooling costs.
- Install attic insulation to reduce high home cooling costs up to 20%. You’ll save money each month and may qualify for a rebate.
- Check for household leaks to make sure air isn’t escaping through openings such as fireplace dampers, doors and windows. Make sure your weatherstripping is not allowing air to escape. If it is, replace it.
- Decorate for a cooler home by hanging light-colored curtains that allow light to enter a room while blocking some of the sun’s rays, and light-colored paint to reflect heat.
- Close unused air vents. If you have central AC you can close air vent and doors in rooms you’re not using so you’re not paying to cool them.
- Plant trees to provide shade on the sunny side of your home. Use large potted plants that can provide adequate shade (Ficus Trees) if you have a patio apartment.
- Install more ceiling fans. Because the breeze of a fan can make you feel three to four degrees cooler, you can raise that thermostat and still stay comfortable.
- When you have your roof replaced, go with a lighter color. The more reflective the color the lower your attic temperature. One study showed a 20 degree temperature difference in the attic when the homeowner changed from dark grey roof tiles to white.
- Have your AC system evaporator coils cleaned, if needed. Restricted air flow will not only cause your air conditioning unit to freeze up, it will impact your cooling costs. An air conditioner with restricted air flow causes your air conditioner to work much harder and can potentially damage your air conditioner and reduce its lifespan.
Your comfort is our top priory.
Universal air and Heat is dedicated to providing the best air conditioning repair and installation service from South Florida to Tampa, Florida. We have become a leader in the air conditioning industry by consistently delivering outstanding customer service.
We offer Free AC System Estimates and Free Service calls ($49 value) with repair.
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Two Stage Air Conditioning System Advantages
What is the advantage of a two stage air conditioning system compared to a a single stage air conditioning system?
Benefits of a Two Stage Air Conditioning System Verses a Single Stage AC Unit:
A two stage air conditioning system has many more comfort features, one of the best features is the on-demand dehumidification feature. The on-demand dehumidification feature will allow you to feel more comfortable at a higher temperature set point with a lower percentage of humidity in the air. Comfort aside, when moisture levels are high, there’s a higher potential for mold and other pollutant problems that could potentially lead to health issues.
How does it work?
The air handler fans speed ramps down into a lower speed utilizing a variable speed motor, when it ramps down to a lower speed it starts pulling more humidity out of the home.
Here is an Example
When you set your thermostat to 76° on the single stage system the air-conditioner will continue to run at 100% capacity in order to bring it down to 76°. However, on a 2 stage system with the humidity control feature you can set your thermostat to 78° and then set the humidity at 45%. Once the air-conditioner reaches 78° The two stage air conditioning unit will drop down into first stage and the fan speed will drop down as well, this allows the air conditioning unit to begin the dehumidification process and then starts to pull the humidity level down until it reaches 
45% humidity in the home. Once it reaches 45% humidity the AC unit will shut down and it will feel like 76° even though the temperature is actually 78° in the home. This is because the humidity is only at 45%. This will save you money on your electric bill because your air conditioner does not have to operate at 100% capacity all the time of time in order to bring your home temperature down 76°
A two stage air conditioning system works 2 stages on the compressor mode, it starts up at 66% drawing less amperage upon start up and this is where you consume most of your energy costs. If the heat load in the home calls for more cooling 15 seconds later the 2nd stage kicks in the 100% capacity mode. Example, if you have a 4 ton air-conditioner with a 2 stage system it will start up as if it were a 2.5 ton drawing the amperage of a 2.5 ton system and then 15 seconds later it will go to 100% (only if the heat load in the home calls for 100% capacity) which will be a full 4 ton capacity however on a single stage system it will always start up at 100% capacity and draw the amperage that a 4 ton compressor will need and that 100% capacity is what winds up costing you more money on your energy bill. Dual stage air conditioners also tend to last longer because they are not running at full capacity all the time.
Summary
Two stage cooling means the air conditioner or heat pump has a compressor with two levels of operation: high for hot summer days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is adequate to meet household-cooling demands 80% of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods and produces more even temperatures.
Longer cooling cycles also translate to quieter, more efficient operation, enhanced humidity control, substantial savings on your annual energy costs and extended lifespan of your cooling and heating system. Compared to a single-stage unit, a dual stage air conditioner or heat pump can remove twice as much moisture from the air. This is important because when moisture levels are high, there’s a higher potential for mold and other pollutant problems.
Purchasing a new air conditioning system is one of the most costly home improvement investments you will make so when it’s time to replace you air conditioning system or heat pump, call a name you can trust. Universal Air and Heat sells top rated residential and commercial two stage air conditioning systems by Rheem, Carrier, Bryant, Trane and Goodman at low prices in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Weston, Tamarac, Pompano Beach, West Palm Beach Jupiter and Tampa FL. Serving the Tri-County area of South FL and Tampa Fl with affordable AC repair and low cost air conditioning replacement since 1997.
Call for your free “no obligation” AC unit estimate today.
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