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Air conditioning
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Approximately 60 to 70 percent of the energy consumed by your home can be attributed to your cooling equipment. The good news is that no matter what kind of air conditioning system you have, you can increase your home’s energy efficiency by combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with an appropriately sized system.
Tips
- Raise your thermostat to lower your electricity usage. We recommend a setting of 78°F. For every degree below 78°F that you set your thermostat, expect approximately a 5-7% increase in your cooling costs.
- When you leave for work, raise your thermostat to 81 or 82°F.
- Caulking, landscaping and attic insulation are just a few of the ways to help make your air conditioner more energy efficient.
- High-efficiency cooling units generally cost more, but in our hot climate they’ll pay for themselves in a few years through reduced energy usage.
- Consider controlling the temperature of your home automatically with a programmable thermostat.
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Go to:
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Factors that affect your cooling costs
Efficiency
An air conditioner’s efficiency is rated according to its seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). SEER is the annualized efficiency of a unit in BTUs removed from a home per watt of electricity used. The higher the SEER, the lower the operating costs. We recommend a minimum SEER of 14 for air conditioning systems.
Home’s age and condition
For a variety of reasons, newer homes generally are more energy efficient than older ones. New homes are built to keep conditioned air inside so you’re not paying to heat and cool air that easily finds its way outside. As a home gets older, settling will cause some of that air-tight construction to loosen up.
Managing System Operation
Your lifestyle can directly affect your heating and cooling costs. Consider raising your thermostat when you’re away.Multiple air conditioning units should be used for homes with two or more stories so you can gain more efficient control. Zoning systems provide greater efficiency and comfort by dividing the home into comfort zones, providing different temperatures for each zone.
Service and Maintenance
Air conditioning systems are often taken for granted, receiving little or no maintenance until they break down. In early spring, schedule a tune up with a service professional to check operating efficiency and the refrigerant’s ability to cool. Low refrigerant could make the unit run more often and double your cooling costs. Have the professional inspect and, if necessary, oil fans and motors on the condensing unit and the inside evaporator unit.
After disconnecting power to the air conditioning unit, remember to clean the outside condenser coils and fins regularly. Make sure return air grills are free from all types of obstructions.
Size
Ensuring that your air conditioner is sized correctly for your home is critical for both comfort and efficiency. An oversized system will run in short cycles in the cooling mode as the thermostat senses the desired temperature has been reached. Short cycling allows less time for moisture removal, resulting in higher relative humidity. What’s more, this higher humidity could lead to another big problem: mold.
On the other hand, a system that is too small won’t adequately cool a home during peak conditions. This means the system will run all the time, increasing your operating costs. To arrive at a happy medium, we recommend hiring a qualified HVAC professional to perform a load calculation to ensure proper sizing of your air conditioner equipment.
Before purchasing an air conditioning system, make sure a licensed technician performs a load calculation on your home to ensure proper sizing. Reliant Energy recommends a minimum of 14.00 seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER).
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|
Protect Yourself Against High A/C Repair Bills
Reliant Energy has partnered with Cross Country Home Services, the leading provider of home warranties, to connect you with plans that guard against the financial impact of high repair bills.
Learn about Cross Country’s A/C plans.
|
|
|
Performing Annual Air Conditioner Maintenance
While some air conditioning maintenance jobs should be left to the pros,
there are a few things you can do to maximize your system’s energy efficiency
and prolong the life of your cooling equipment.
Indoor Maintenance
Check the air filter at least once a month.
The most important maintenance task to help ensure the efficiency of your
air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Most residential
systems have disposable filters, which should be checked every month and
replaced when necessary with the same size filter. Filters may need more
frequent changing if the air conditioner is in constant use, is subjected to
dusty conditions or if you have pets in the house.
Clogged, dirty filters block normal airflow and can significantly reduce a
system's efficiency and capacity. With normal airflow obstructed, air that
bypasses the filter may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair
the coil's heat-absorbing capacity. Permanent filters should be cleaned
according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Outdoor Maintenance
Keep your outdoor condensing unit free of debris.
If you keep grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery and debris away from your
outdoor unit, it should only require minimal care to operate properly. Trimming
foliage back to at least two feet from the unit will allow for adequate airflow
around the condenser.
Check the base pan under the unit occasionally, and remove debris to help
the unit drain correctly. If the outdoor coil becomes dirty, you can wash it
with a water hose. Spray down the fins of the condensing unit to wash off any
dust or debris.
Before performing maintenance, turn off the 240-volt power at the appliance
shutoff box. It's usually outside within sight of the outdoor unit. Some
shutoffs simply pull out, while others have a handle to pull down or a fuse to
remove. If there isn't one, turn off the power at the circuit breaker at the
main panel that controls the outdoor unit.
Straighten any bent coil fins.
The aluminum fins on evaporator and condenser coils are easily bent and can
block airflow through the coil. Air conditioning wholesalers sell a tool called
a fin comb that will comb these fins back into nearly original condition.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
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I live in an apartment. Would a programmable thermostat be a wise investment?
Yes, installing a programmable thermostat in your apartment will help you save energy. Before purchasing, check with your apartment manager to see if tenants may install them. Also find out the type of heat your units use—electric strip heating, heat pumps or hydronic—which is necessary to find the right programmable thermostat.
|
|
I plan to be away from home for about two weeks this summer. Can I turn my air conditioner off while I'm gone?
We do not recommend turning your air conditioner off completely; instead, set your thermostat to 82° F.
|
|
Is it a good idea to use the air conditioner in fan mode on cooler days?
We don't recommend placing the fan in the "on" position, which will result in increased energy usage and minimal (if any) comfort gain. It's better to open a window and turn on a ceiling fan when weather permits.
|
|
How important is the size of my air conditioning system?
Correct sizing is vital for both comfort and efficiency—before buying a system, make sure a licensed technician performs a load calculation on your home to ensure proper sizing. We recommend a minimum seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 14.00.
|
|
How can I decrease my summertime energy usage if I’m away from home during the day?
Lowering your energy usage is directly related to raising the setting on your thermostat. For every degree below the recommended 78° F, your cooling costs can increase to 5–7%. When you leave for work, raise your thermostat to around 81 to 82° and return it to 78° when you get home. Also, replace your air conditioning filters on a monthly basis, and close your curtains and blinds during the day to prevent solar heat from warming up your home.
|
|
What is the best way to cool the upstairs of a home?
There are several ways to improve upstairs cooling, most of which involve hiring a registered technician to diagnose the problem.
- The air distribution system must be sealed, sized and insulated properly. If the ductwork to certain upstairs rooms is not large enough, too little air may be coming in to meet the heat load of the room. A room-by-room load calculation can help determine the exact number of BTUs needed per room.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ducts on your supply system may be disconnected, crushed or crimped, which would prevent air from being distributed effectively throughout the upstairs.
- The return air system may be undersized.
- If your home is more than 20 years old, you may need more attic insulation.
- You can add window coverings such as curtains, blinds and solar screens to block solar heat from coming in.
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True innovation
We're at work promoting conservation and renewable resources.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Weekly Summary
Get the info you need to better manage your usage with our Weekly Summary emails.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Greener bills
See how we're converting to 10% post-consumer-waste paper products.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Air conditioning
|
|
|
Approximately 60 to 70 percent of the energy consumed by your home can be attributed to your cooling equipment. The good news is that no matter what kind of air conditioning system you have, you can increase your home’s energy efficiency by combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with an appropriately sized system.
Tips
- Raise your thermostat to lower your electricity usage. We recommend a setting of 78°F. For every degree below 78°F that you set your thermostat, expect approximately a 5-7% increase in your cooling costs.
- When you leave for work, raise your thermostat to 81 or 82°F.
- Caulking, landscaping and attic insulation are just a few of the ways to help make your air conditioner more energy efficient.
- High-efficiency cooling units generally cost more, but in our hot climate they’ll pay for themselves in a few years through reduced energy usage.
- Consider controlling the temperature of your home automatically with a programmable thermostat.
|
|
Go to:
|
|
Factors that affect your cooling costs
Efficiency
An air conditioner’s efficiency is rated according to its seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). SEER is the annualized efficiency of a unit in BTUs removed from a home per watt of electricity used. The higher the SEER, the lower the operating costs. We recommend a minimum SEER of 14 for air conditioning systems.
Home’s age and condition
For a variety of reasons, newer homes generally are more energy efficient than older ones. New homes are built to keep conditioned air inside so you’re not paying to heat and cool air that easily finds its way outside. As a home gets older, settling will cause some of that air-tight construction to loosen up.
Managing System Operation
Your lifestyle can directly affect your heating and cooling costs. Consider raising your thermostat when you’re away.Multiple air conditioning units should be used for homes with two or more stories so you can gain more efficient control. Zoning systems provide greater efficiency and comfort by dividing the home into comfort zones, providing different temperatures for each zone.
Service and Maintenance
Air conditioning systems are often taken for granted, receiving little or no maintenance until they break down. In early spring, schedule a tune up with a service professional to check operating efficiency and the refrigerant’s ability to cool. Low refrigerant could make the unit run more often and double your cooling costs. Have the professional inspect and, if necessary, oil fans and motors on the condensing unit and the inside evaporator unit.
After disconnecting power to the air conditioning unit, remember to clean the outside condenser coils and fins regularly. Make sure return air grills are free from all types of obstructions.
Size
Ensuring that your air conditioner is sized correctly for your home is critical for both comfort and efficiency. An oversized system will run in short cycles in the cooling mode as the thermostat senses the desired temperature has been reached. Short cycling allows less time for moisture removal, resulting in higher relative humidity. What’s more, this higher humidity could lead to another big problem: mold.
On the other hand, a system that is too small won’t adequately cool a home during peak conditions. This means the system will run all the time, increasing your operating costs. To arrive at a happy medium, we recommend hiring a qualified HVAC professional to perform a load calculation to ensure proper sizing of your air conditioner equipment.
Before purchasing an air conditioning system, make sure a licensed technician performs a load calculation on your home to ensure proper sizing. Reliant Energy recommends a minimum of 14.00 seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER).
|
|
Protect Yourself Against High A/C Repair Bills
Reliant Energy has partnered with Cross Country Home Services, the leading provider of home warranties, to connect you with plans that guard against the financial impact of high repair bills.
Learn about Cross Country’s A/C plans.
|
|
|
Performing Annual Air Conditioner Maintenance
While some air conditioning maintenance jobs should be left to the pros,
there are a few things you can do to maximize your system’s energy efficiency
and prolong the life of your cooling equipment.
Indoor Maintenance
Check the air filter at least once a month.
The most important maintenance task to help ensure the efficiency of your
air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Most residential
systems have disposable filters, which should be checked every month and
replaced when necessary with the same size filter. Filters may need more
frequent changing if the air conditioner is in constant use, is subjected to
dusty conditions or if you have pets in the house.
Clogged, dirty filters block normal airflow and can significantly reduce a
system's efficiency and capacity. With normal airflow obstructed, air that
bypasses the filter may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair
the coil's heat-absorbing capacity. Permanent filters should be cleaned
according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Outdoor Maintenance
Keep your outdoor condensing unit free of debris.
If you keep grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery and debris away from your
outdoor unit, it should only require minimal care to operate properly. Trimming
foliage back to at least two feet from the unit will allow for adequate airflow
around the condenser.
Check the base pan under the unit occasionally, and remove debris to help
the unit drain correctly. If the outdoor coil becomes dirty, you can wash it
with a water hose. Spray down the fins of the condensing unit to wash off any
dust or debris.
Before performing maintenance, turn off the 240-volt power at the appliance
shutoff box. It's usually outside within sight of the outdoor unit. Some
shutoffs simply pull out, while others have a handle to pull down or a fuse to
remove. If there isn't one, turn off the power at the circuit breaker at the
main panel that controls the outdoor unit.
Straighten any bent coil fins.
The aluminum fins on evaporator and condenser coils are easily bent and can
block airflow through the coil. Air conditioning wholesalers sell a tool called
a fin comb that will comb these fins back into nearly original condition.
|
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions:
|
|
I live in an apartment. Would a programmable thermostat be a wise investment?
Yes, installing a programmable thermostat in your apartment will help you save energy. Before purchasing, check with your apartment manager to see if tenants may install them. Also find out the type of heat your units use—electric strip heating, heat pumps or hydronic—which is necessary to find the right programmable thermostat.
|
|
I plan to be away from home for about two weeks this summer. Can I turn my air conditioner off while I'm gone?
We do not recommend turning your air conditioner off completely; instead, set your thermostat to 82° F.
|
|
Is it a good idea to use the air conditioner in fan mode on cooler days?
We don't recommend placing the fan in the "on" position, which will result in increased energy usage and minimal (if any) comfort gain. It's better to open a window and turn on a ceiling fan when weather permits.
|
|
How important is the size of my air conditioning system?
Correct sizing is vital for both comfort and efficiency—before buying a system, make sure a licensed technician performs a load calculation on your home to ensure proper sizing. We recommend a minimum seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 14.00.
|
|
How can I decrease my summertime energy usage if I’m away from home during the day?
Lowering your energy usage is directly related to raising the setting on your thermostat. For every degree below the recommended 78° F, your cooling costs can increase to 5–7%. When you leave for work, raise your thermostat to around 81 to 82° and return it to 78° when you get home. Also, replace your air conditioning filters on a monthly basis, and close your curtains and blinds during the day to prevent solar heat from warming up your home.
|
|
What is the best way to cool the upstairs of a home?
There are several ways to improve upstairs cooling, most of which involve hiring a registered technician to diagnose the problem.
- The air distribution system must be sealed, sized and insulated properly. If the ductwork to certain upstairs rooms is not large enough, too little air may be coming in to meet the heat load of the room. A room-by-room load calculation can help determine the exact number of BTUs needed per room.
- Have your ductwork checked. Ducts on your supply system may be disconnected, crushed or crimped, which would prevent air from being distributed effectively throughout the upstairs.
- The return air system may be undersized.
- If your home is more than 20 years old, you may need more attic insulation.
- You can add window coverings such as curtains, blinds and solar screens to block solar heat from coming in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
True innovation
We're at work promoting conservation and renewable resources.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Weekly Summary
Get the info you need to better manage your usage with our Weekly Summary emails.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Greener bills
See how we're converting to 10% post-consumer-waste paper products.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
