Air conditioning does come with energy costs, but an inefficient air conditioning system could cause shock when you open your bill. If you’re seeing outrageous or unusual spikes in your energy bill due to your air conditioning, it may be caused by an uneven and inefficient cooling system in your home. Please call MM Comfort Systems for any urgent matters 425-533-9058 to discuss any urgent matters with your air conditioning system. Here are some common causes of an inefficient air conditioning system:
- Air Leaking
- Low Refrigerant
- Insufficient Insulation
- Dirty Air Filter
- Worn Parts
- Poor Maintenance
1. Air Leaking
Older systems with large air ducts can cause uneven cooling of a home. The ducts can slowly deteriorate and leak air, which can also cause your energy bill to increase. This forces the operator to run the system at higher levels to get the same amount of heating or cooling distributed throughout the home. Our customers really enjoy having a ductless system, which prevents this issue. Not only do ductless systems enable you to cool your home without invasive ductwork, but also they’re very energy-efficient. Learn more about our ductless systems here.
2. Low Refrigerant
Refrigerant absorbs heat from the air and moves it out of your home. If your refrigerant is low, it puts a strain on your system as the system tries harder to please the thermostat. Low refrigerant levels could be due to a leak. If you suspect a refrigerant leak, be sure to consult a professional. A trained technician will be able to pinpoint a leak and determine what needs to be done to repair it.
3. Insufficient Insulation
Adding the right amount of insulation in your home can help prevent heat from making its way into spaces that need to be cooled, such as different areas of your home or even your ductwork. When extra heat is allowed in, the system has to strain itself to cool the space more. This can bring on unnecessary energy and cause strain on the system. Proper insulation will help prevent an inefficient air conditioning system. Adding plenty of insulation in your home is just one of many tips we have for saving money on energy in Seattle. You can learn more about how to improve your home energy efficiency here.
4. Dirty Air Filter
It’s always a good idea to be proactive about changing your air filter for a number of reasons, and efficiency is one of them. When too much dirt and debris builds up in the air filter, it will restrict airflow. Due to this, your system will run longer and work harder in an effort to cool your home. Thankfully, this is an easy fix and you should be able to do it yourself.
5. Worn Parts
If the components of your system are starting to wear down, it can lead to an inefficient air conditioning system. The parts in your air conditioner are working as a team to cool your home, so a worn part can affect your whole system. For example, if your condenser motor isn’t working properly, it’s going to keep running for a longer period of time. If this continues, it could even result in a full air conditioner breakdown.
6. Poor Maintenance
Routine air conditioning maintenance on a regular basis from a professional technician can keep your air conditioning system running smoothly and effectively for years to come. An expert can tell you when something is not working before it gets bad! Before your system breaks completely or before you get charged unnecessary energy costs, make sure you have a good maintenance plan in place. Check out our maintenance service and how we keep our customers’ units working properly!
Looking for a Seattle HVAC Contractor That Can Help You? Find out how your Seattle home can have better, effective, and cost-efficient cooling. Call us at 425-533-9058, or use our Online Contact Form to arrange maintenance or repair service.
