When you think of conserving energy, most people do not think of central air conditioning. For many people, saving energy means turning the electricity off, and in Jacksonville, Florida that means many hot and sticky evenings sitting inside a home that is too hot for comfort. When the temperature is rising close to 100 degrees outside, the last thing that you want to do is turn off your air conditioning! There is good news for those of us that are trying to be energy conscious as we fight the heat. Jacksonville air conditioning companies have the equipment, knowledge and experience to put your home on the right track. This means providing you with resources to cool your home off and provide a comfortable living environment—while helping your environment and saving you tons of money in energy costs!
Here are a few tips to help you save money as you keep your home cool through the long springs, summers and falls that keep Jacksonville warm.
When it is time to replace your air conditioning unit, talk to a representative from a Jacksonville air conditioning company about energy-efficient models. There is a wide variety of energy efficient models available. When looking at your options, make sure to pay attention to the SEER rating, or the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Remember, the higher the SEER rating the unit is provided, the higher its level of efficiency is.
Make sure that the equipment that you are installing is the proper size for the area that it will be servicing. Purchasing an air conditioning unit that is oversized for the area that you will be cooling will lead to an overuse of power, which will cost you more to run than is necessary. Likewise, if you purchase an air conditioning that is undersized for the area that you wish to provide cooling service to, then the unit will need to work extra hard in order to properly cool the space. If you are curious about the correct size that is necessary for your home, then contact a Jacksonville air conditioning company to obtain a professional opinion.
Once your air conditioning unit is installed, make sure to set your thermostat to a temperature that will keep your home at a moderate temperature. Many energy experts recommend to set your AC unit to 78 degrees for optimal energy savings. If you feel that 78 degrees is not a practical setting for your home, then try investing in a programmable thermostat, available at many home supply stores in the Jacksonville area and also through Jacksonville air conditioning companies. Programmable thermostats allow you to lower or increase the temperature of your home at key times during the day, when you first wake up or as you return from work for example, allowing you to keep your home at an energy efficient temperature when you are not at home to enjoy the cool air.