3 Signs You’re Overpaying for Cooling

If you’re wondering whether you’re overpaying to cool your home in Mount Pleasant, Texas, you probably are. Cooling and heating can account for more than half of your electricity bill. Keep an eye on these potential sources of energy waste to prevent overpaying on cooling:

Old Air Conditioner

Old air conditioners have poor SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency) ratings. This measurement divides the BTU cooling capacity by electricity usage.

In many cases, older air conditioners have a SEER rating of 8 compared to a modern model with 26. If this is the boat you’re in, it’s a worthy investment to upgrade your air conditioner. Greater efficiency will keep you more comfortable and also help you save money.

Lack of Service

It’s hard to maintain maximum energy efficiency if you don’t regularly service your AC system. That’s why it’s important to schedule maintenance at least once a year.

Gas furnaces need to have their burners cleaned, and you need to maintain the blower wheels. You need to change filters on both heating and cooling units as well. If your cooling system has dirty filters, it’ll work harder to maintain the same cooling capacity. Most air conditioners have recommended service intervals. For this information, read the user’s manual of your cooling system.

Hidden Air Leaks

Most air leaks can be felt or seen. You can check for visible air leaks in places such as cover panels or in areas with missing screws.

Air leaks occur at the piping insertions, as well. In many cases, the air leaks occur slowly over time. But they can also occur immediately after you install a new air conditioner. These leaks are due to the poor installation quality in most cases.

If you suspect a problem, schedule an appointment with Wood Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Inc. for a home performance evaluation. You can reach us today at 903-285-6550.

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