According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), roughly 6 percent of all electricity this country produces gets used by air conditioning systems — costing U.S. households approximately $29 billion annually!
With temperatures rising in Essex, Passaic, Union and Bergen counties, many JW Pierson customers are looking for ways to lower their central cooling system’s electricity usage. Here is some helpful information about the efficiency of central A/C equipment and how you can reduce your energy use this summer.
The DOE states that today’s high-efficiency central air conditioners use 30 to 50 percent less energy than the systems of the 1970s. A central A/C system is also much more efficient than individual window units. The average U.S. home with central A/C uses over 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year on home cooling.
There are some simple, relatively low-cost ways to lower your A/C expense.
First and foremost, you should arrange for annual air conditioning maintenance. This will ensure that your equipment runs at peak efficiency, lowering the chances of a breakdown and a potentially pricy air conditioning repair. Our Cool Comfort A/C service plans include a yearly tune-up, priority service and discounts on covered repairs. A service plan is a superb way to ensure your system’s efficiency and health.
It’s also a good idea to invest in a smart thermostat. These affordable devices allow you to program your A/C to a higher temperature at certain times of the day. They can also make energy-saving adjustments when they sense you’re out of the house. Homes can lower their heating and cooling costs by up to 10 percent per year simply by turning their thermostats back 7 to 10 degrees from their standard setting for 8 hours daily!
If your central A/C system is over 10 years old, you are likely missing out on the latest efficiency technologies. You might also notice that your older equipment is cycling more often and not keeping you as dependably comfortable.
It could be time to upgrade to a newer, more efficient central A/C system. The DOE found that upgrading to high-efficiency air conditioning can reduce your home’s A/C-related energy use by 20 or more!
Talk to JW Pierson’s friendly experts about your new air conditioning installation, and we can identify an efficient model that keeps you cooler for less. Older A/C systems have efficiency ratings lower than the federal-mandated minimum of 14-SEER. But modern high-efficiency systems have SEER ratings as high as 26! That will significantly lower your monthly electricity usage.
Even better, certain Energy Star-rated cooling systems also qualify for generous federal tax credits, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.
JW Pierson Co. will help you find central A/C equipment that simultaneously boosts your home comfort and lowers expenses. Reach out to us through our website.