Household power consumption is a large part of the average person’s carbon footprint. Cooling is among the biggest contributors to your household’s energy use, so you must prioritize it when you go green. It can also be expensive, so efficient cooling systems can help you save money. Fortunately, modern HVAC technology makes it easy to conserve energy. There are several different tools that can minimize the cost of cooling your home. All of them will help, but the best results come from combining several improvements. If you want to go green, you should understand all of the options and consider using them in your home.
1. Modern Air Conditioners
Conventional air conditioning units can be a powerful tool for saving energy. The key is to make sure that you are using a modern air conditioner. Most modern companies prioritize efficiency, but that used to be rare. That means that new air conditioners use significantly less energy than older models.
Wear and tear can also be a factor. All air conditioners wear out over time. The damage makes them less efficient, which is another major reason to consider getting a new air conditioner. This is especially important if your air conditioner shows signs of damage, such as frequent cycling or recurring mechanical problems. If your air conditioner is struggling, you should repair or replace it quickly. The problems will get worse over time, which will quickly increase your energy bill.
You should usually upgrade your air conditioner after roughly one decade of use. If you are not sure if you need an upgrade, you can always ask our experts for advice. That is especially important if the system is having problems or your energy bills are increasing. We can examine it and determine if your air conditioner needs repairs or if you should replace it. If you need a new air conditioner, we can make sure you get the most efficient model on the market.
2. Heat Pumps
While people usually think of heat pumps as an alternative to furnaces, they can also replace your air conditioner. They work by moving heat from a warm area to a cold area. If the air outside your home is colder than the interior air, they can use it to cool your home. Water-to-air systems are also available. They require a body of water for cooling, but they use the same principles as traditional heat pumps.
Heat pumps use less energy than traditional air conditioning. They also allow you to combine your heating and cooling systems. You can modernize both systems at the same time to save even more energy. That also reduces your maintenance costs and saves space in your home. Those factors make heat pumps one of the best ways to go green if you want to save money.
3. Smart Thermostats
Most people waste energy when they cool their homes. For example, you might leave the air conditioner running while you go out to run errands. If you eliminate that waste, you can reduce your energy usage without making any sacrifices.
Smart thermostats make it easy to optimize your energy usage. They connect to your phone, so you can control your cooling system while you are out of the house. You can turn your air conditioner off when you leave and reactivate it a few minutes before you return. Your home will be comfortable when you arrive without using much energy. Many smart thermostats allow you to automate the entire process. They can even track your habits and create an optimized schedule to minimize your energy usage. Computers are better at optimization than humans, so this can save plenty of energy.
There are many different smart thermostats on the market, so it is easy to find one that meets your needs. We can help you learn about them and find the right model. At Jim Needham Heating Cooling Plumbing and Drain, we specialize in providing modern cooling systems in Denver, CO. We have experience with a wide variety of systems, so it is easy for us to make recommendations. If you are interested in a large upgrade, we can install your new thermostat along with a new cooling system. You can trust our team of experts to do the job right and make sure you love the result.
4. Duct Sealing
You can reduce your energy usage without upgrading your cooling system. It is likely that your home’s air ducts are making your cooling system less efficient. Air ducts tend to accumulate small cracks and gaps over time. Those openings allow cool air to leak out of the system before it arrives at its destination. Your cooling system needs to do extra work to make up for those losses. That wastes energy and makes them wear out faster. A single leak will only have a small impact on your system, but they add up quickly.
If you want to save energy, you will need to have professionals fix your air ducts. We will examine the entire duct network to make sure we find every gap. We can also combine the repairs with a thorough duct cleaning to maximize your system’s efficiency. This process is ideal for homeowners who want to save energy without investing in a large home improvement project.
5. Commit to Maintenance
It is important to take care of your cooling system. It works hard, and it will lose efficiency over time if you neglect it. For example, dust and debris can accumulate in air vents and build up on cooling elements. That dust will interfere with the cooling process and waste energy. Your air conditioner can also run low on refrigerant, and moving parts will wear out over time.
Routine maintenance will address all of those problems. Your system should get a tune-up every year. They all start with a thorough examination of the entire system. We address every problem that we find, replace damaged parts, and clean everything. It is a quick and easy process, but it is vital for ensuring that your system operates at peak efficiency. The examination also gives us a chance to determine if you need to replace anything. Our team will give you an accurate report on your cooling system’s condition so you can make an informed choice.
Our Team Will Help
We all need to do our part to protect the environment. We can help you reduce your energy bills at the same time. At Jim Needham Heating Cooling Plumbing and Drain, we believe that our friends and neighbors deserve comfortable homes. That is why we are proud to offer HVAC and plumbing services throughout the Denver area. We have over 30 years of experience, and those years taught us the value of personalized service.
Our team is committed to giving you the best deal in town and delivering the results that you need. You can rely on our hard work and attention to detail to maximize your home’s efficiency. Call us today to modernize your cooling system and minimize your power bill.
