By James John
As summer reaches its zenith in St. Louis, having a cool home transforms from a luxury to a matter of simple survival. Yet, that survival can come at a staggering cost if the HVAC unit you’re using to keep cool is less than efficient. While these problems can sometimes be taken care of with a little TLC, other times require a more permanent solution; a new St. Louis AC install.
Selecting the right instillation unit and service provider can save you a lot of money in the long run. Savings come not just from the way a system that has been correctly sized and installed uses energy, but also from how long the system lasts. By following these suggestions, you can save considerably on both installation and operating costs:
Choose the Right System Size for Your Home
One of the most frequent blunders made by those who own homes is to install a system that is either too large or too small for the residence in which it has been installed. An oversized unit will waste energy by cycling on and off far too often.
An undersized unit will struggle in a futile attempt to keep up and will lead to high energy bills and unnecessary strain. A proper installation begins with a comprehensive assessment of your entire home to determine the appropriate size and type of system that will serve your home best.
Prioritize High-Efficiency Units
Today’s air conditioning units are far more energy-efficient than their predecessors. And while it may seem that this advanced technology will come at a steeper price, the fact is that when you account for the reduced cost of energy to run the units over their expected lifetimes, modern, climate controlled St. Louis AC install units actually tend to be much more cost-effective.
Today, your best bet in terms of cost-efficiency is likely to be toward the high-S-E-E-R end of available units, while the unit likely to help offset your energy bill to the greatest degree is likely an ENERGY STAR Qualifying unit.
Seal Ductwork and Insulate Properly
Even the finest AC unit can’t operate at its best if your ductwork is leaking or your home is not well insulated. A good installation team will check for leaky ducts and seal them up, and if your ducts are fine and the problem is in the rest of the house, they will recommend additional insulation where it can do the most good.
Once your ducts and your house are properly sealed, the cool air stays inside, and your AC doesn’t have to work overtime just to keep things at a comfortable temperature.
Plan for Regular Maintenance
Finally, a well-functioning system is a well-maintained system. Regular maintenance inspections not only keep a system running as efficiently as possible, but they also extend its life. Even the most efficient commercial system of any kind cannot avoid energy bills. A well-maintained system also has lower steady-state energy bills.
Lower Your Cooling Costs with a Smart St. Louis AC Install
A little planning ahead can lead to big savings. An efficient indoor climate keeps its residents comfortable, and that’s the whole point of air conditioning in the first place. If you’re in need of a new AC unit, remember; efficient equipment, proper sizing, good insulation, regular maintenance.
