HVAC Energy Efficiency Tips for Redlands, CA Residents

As another Earth Day passes, let’s share some HVAC energy efficiency tips for our fellow Inland Empire, California residents. We’ll go over some facts for Redlands residents as well as some ways to save energy and money when heating and cooling your home.

Heating and Air Energy Efficiency Facts

1. Californians spend about 17 percent of their home energy use on air conditioning.
2. Americans spend about $11 billion dollars each year to power air conditioners.
3. You can reduce air conditioning energy use by 20 – 50 percent when you switch to high-efficiency air conditioners and take other measures to lower your home cooling expenses.
4. One way an air conditioner makes us feel cooler is to reduce the amount of moisture in the air.
5. Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. Turn it off when you’re not in the room.

HVAC Energy Efficiency Tip #1

Install the most energy-efficient variable-speed system you can afford. For example, ENERGY STAR-qualified units are, on average, up to 15 percent more efficient than standard models. Furthermore, consider factors like SEER and speeds when choosing a new air conditioner.

SEER

Air conditioners use a rating system called SEER. This acronym stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It provides a measurement of the ratio of output cooling energy to electrical input energy for the entire cooling season.

The bottom line? The higher the number, the more energy-efficient it is. Air conditioners manufactured between 1994 and 2006 had a minimum SEER of 10. The current minimum is a SEER of 14.

VARIABLE SPEEDS

A single-speed air conditioner is less technically sophisticated and less expensive. With a single-speed air conditioner, your choices are on or off. This means when it’s on, it’s running at full speed. Contrast that with a variable-speed system, which runs at the most appropriate speed to meet and maintain the requested temperature.

This requires less energy and applies less strain to the equipment. Imagine if you entered a marathon and your only choice was to sprint the entire distance. That’s like a single-speed system.

Imagine if you had a choice of walking, jogging and running to finish the marathon. A variable-speed system expends less energy overall and brings greater comfort to the homeowners.

HVAC Energy Efficiency Tip #2

Maintain your air conditioner, whether it’s old or brand-new! Many people assume a new air conditioner doesn’t need preventive maintenance, but that would be like waiting until your new car started smoking before scheduling an oil change.

Annual maintenance improves the comfort and HVAC energy efficiency while it extends the life of your equipment.

HVAC Energy Efficiency Tip #3

Change your air filter. We recommend checking your air filter every month and changing as needed. For most Redlands homeowners, this is every two to three months. When you keep the air filter fresh, it can improve the HVAC energy efficiency by five to 15 percent. It also improves your indoor air quality to change the filter.

HVAC Energy Efficiency Tip #4

Try a programmable, Wi-Fi or Smart Thermostat. Newer thermostats feature great benefits and savings on heating and air efficiency. If you’re interested, let us know. We’d be happy to recommend and install a thermostat to complement your HVAC system the most.

Also, if your current thermostat is sending faulty readings to your HVAC system you could be losing HVAC energy efficiency as well. Regular tune-ups with an HVAC professional tests all electrical systems and controls for this purpose.

HVAC Energy Efficiency Tip #5

Join a preventive maintenance plan like the 5 Star Comfort Plan. Routine maintenance is the best thing for your HVAC energy efficiency goals. Regular tune-ups provide comprehensive inspections of all your HVAC components.

Technicians also clean the components and check parts like belts for integrity. Regular maintenance also provides an opportunity for technicians to catch issues while they’re small and prevent costly and inconvenient big repairs or worse, breakdowns.

Taking care of your air conditioner helps extend its useful life, which means you’re less likely to face an early replacement need.

Stay on Top of Energy Efficiency Goals with Sanborn’s Air Conditioning & Heating

To stay cool and in the green Earth Day and every day, use these HVAC energy efficiency tips. At Sanborn’s Air Conditioning & Heating, we love to save customers money.

Click Here to Schedule an Estimate 

If you’re interested in an upgrade to your home’s cooling system, Sanborn’s Air Conditioning & Heating provides quality installation. Our new air conditioners offer the HVAC energy efficiency and performance you need to reduce expenses and improve comfort in your Redlands, CA home.

Reach out today and learn more about the new air conditioners available. Concerned about expenses? Don’t be – we offer HVAC financing options to spread out payments.