A/C Designs of St. Augustine, LLC Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Efficiency’

2023 Changes to SEER Ratings

Thursday, December 15th, 2022

Air conditioner efficiency ratings are changing in 2023. As of January 1st, 2023, all SEER ratings will be replaced with SEER2 ratings. These new regulations will vary by region and positively impact the environment due to their enhanced efficiency.

Moving to SEER2 ratings will change many things regarding energy consumption, utility bills, replacement part availability and more. At AC Designs, we’re here to teach you everything you need to know about upcoming SEER rating changes. That way you can make informed decisions when purchasing a new unit for your home.

What Are SEER Ratings?

Your unit’s SEER rating measures its seasonal energy efficiency ratio. In most cases, the number can be found on your unit’s yellow energy guide sticker.

It is calculated by dividing your home’s annual cooling output during the cooling season by the total electric energy input. Air conditioning units with higher SEER ratings often use less energy to cool your home effectively, which results in lower monthly utility bills.

The standard minimum SEER rating for air conditioners is currently 13, and most modern units fall between 13 and 21. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy will raise the minimum efficiency requirements for central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps.

New Changes to SEER Ratings

SEER2 is an updated method of measuring your unit’s efficiency that uses a different testing procedure. The updated rating can be calculated by dividing the cooling output by the total electric energy input of your unit.

Beginning in 2023, the minimum SEER rating will increase by different amounts based on the region in the United States. SEER2 ratings are based on your unit’s number of British Thermal Units (BTU). BTU is a measurement of your unit’s cooling power and can be determined by an AC professional.

In Southeastern states like Florida, the minimum SEER rating will increase from 14 to 15 for AC units with a cooling output below 45,000 BTU. Units with 45,000 BTU or higher cooling capacity will have a minimum of 14.5 SEER rating in 2023. This increase in efficiency will allow homeowners to use less electricity for the same amount of cooling.

While greater AC efficiency will have its benefits, these changes could result in price increases on new units as homeowners go to make a replacement. It also means that individuals with older units could find it more difficult to replace parts on older, outdated systems.

Benefits of Purchasing a New AC Unit in 2023

With improvements to new unit efficiency in the new year, it’s a great time for homeowners to invest in a new unit. Investing in a new unit can improve the air quality within your home and lower your utility bills as efficiency increases.

Overall, a new unit with a higher SEER2 rating will reduce your energy consumption. In addition to environmental benefits, upgrading the latest technology will decrease your risk of breakdowns or costly air conditioning maintenance.

Schedule a Free In-Home Estimate in Jacksonville, FL

As SEER2 ratings shift towards higher efficiency standards in 2023, let your home AC system do the same. Work with our trusted HVAC company to find the perfect new unit for your home and avoid costly bills and repairs. Schedule an appointment with AC Designs to install your new highly-efficient unit today.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning Efficiency, SEER, seer rating, SEER2
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HVAC Energy Saving Tips for the Holidays

Monday, December 14th, 2020

Christmastime is one of the most wonderful times of the year — and it is also the time of year when the most energy is used around the home. Heating bills go up as temperatures drop, and that’s compounded by frequent visitors coming through your doors. Here’s a list of tips and tricks to help cut down on energy usage during the holidays.

Essential Tips for Saving Energy This Christmas

It’s good to save money year-round, but at Christmastime in particular, you could use some extra savings in your pocket — and energy savings are a key way to do that. Reduce your energy usage in the following ways:

If you’re expecting to be away from home a lot over the holidays, there’s no need to let your heating and cooling system keep your home at the ideal temperature when you’re not home. Invest in a wifi-enabled thermostat to remotely control temperature, set your heating lower before you leave, or turn off the air conditioning to save.
Holidays mean lots of people coming and going through your doors — and sometimes those doors are left hanging open, which lets warm or cold air out. Save your AC unit some trouble by making sure that doors are closed when people aren’t using them.
Many people make Christmas meals to celebrate the holidays, but perhaps you’ve never noticed the indoor temperature going up just a notch while your oven is running. That’s right, cooking with your oven is a good and frugal way to help heat up your home using the heat generated by the machine. You can cut down on your power bill and have a hot home-cooked meal at the same time.
Enroll in an HVAC maintenance program so that technicians can monitor your heating and cooling equipment. Routine maintenance lowers utility bills and prevents problems before they can become costly.
Don’t just keep the power on. Be it whether you’re leaving a room or the house, remember to turn off unused applications and lights. That goes for power strips too, as they can still hog energy even if you don’t notice them easily. Turning the power off whenever you can is not only good for the environment but also your power bill.
Go for energy-efficient Christmas lights. Choose LED ones over traditional light bulbs or other sorts of fancy electronic decorations that eat a lot of wattage.

Contact A/C Designs to Help You Save

There are other ways you can save, too, such as zoned heating and cooling systems that allow you to use less energy in areas of the home that you aren’t actively using. If you’re looking for services concerning air conditioning in Jacksonville, Florida, contact A/C Designs and let us help you figure out ways that you can get those energy bills lower.

Tags: A/C Designs, air conditioner tips, Air Conditioning Efficiency, christmas lights, christmas savings, Energy efficiency, Energy Saving, Happy Holidays, Heat Pumps, Heating, heating and cooling, holiday savings, hvac tips, Jacksonville, St. Augustine
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What Are Some Ways to Extend the Life of an HVAC System?

Monday, June 15th, 2020

No matter how old (or new) your home’s heating and cooling system may be, there are steps you can take to prolong its life. And when you consider that a new furnace or air conditioning unit can easily cost thousands of dollars, you’ll want to keep your current system running smoothly for as long as possible.

Tags: AC Maintenance, AC Service, ac system, Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning Efficiency, HVAC Maintenance, Jacksonville
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How Long Does An A/C Unit Typically Last?

Friday, March 20th, 2020

Your a/c is often the silent hero of your home, consistently maintaining it at a comfortable temperature no matter what the outside weather is like. But far too often, your a/c unit isn’t appreciated for all it does until it suddenly stops. Just how long can you expect an a/c unit to last? Learn more about the average lifespan of the typical a/c unit, as well as what you can do to extend the usable life of your current unit.

Typical A/C Lifespan

The life expectancy of your a/c depends on several factors, including:

Brand of the unit
How frequently you use it
If it’s located in direct sun for much of the day (therefore forcing it to work harder)
If it’s exposed to salty sea air, sand, or other abrasive elements
How often you perform routine maintenance

The “average” a/c will usually last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, though maintenance (or the lack thereof) can skew this figure in one direction or the other.

Extending Your A/C’s Working Life

By far the most impactful factor in your a/c’s life expectancy is the maintenance you perform on the unit. If you don’t clean out debris regularly, cover the unit during winter to protect it from the elements, change your air filters on a regular basis, monitor your refrigerant, and have an occasional tune-up performed, you could be shortening your unit’s life by years.

You’ll also want to do what you can to reduce the burden your a/c bears while it’s working. This can mean shading the unit so that it doesn’t get too hot in the Jacksonville summers, monitoring your thermostat’s accuracy to ensure that it’s not causing the unit to cycle on and off too often, and, in some cases, even upgrading to a larger a/c unit that’s sufficient to accommodate your home’s needs without overworking itself. An a/c that runs or cycles too frequently is at risk of overheating, which can lead to a whole host of potentially expensive problems.

Finally, it’s a good idea to schedule annual tune-ups with a reputable HVAC company. By giving your unit a thorough once-over, HVAC professionals like those at A/C Designs can spot any problems before they start, preventing potentially expensive repairs (or even a/c replacement) down the road. If it’s been a while since your a/c unit was given some TLC, visit our website to learn more about the services we offer or to get in touch with one of our experienced a/c technicians.

Tags: ac tips, air conditioner tips, Air Conditioning Efficiency, extend AC unit life, typical a/c lifespan
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Protecting Your HVAC Unit During Inconsistent Weather

Monday, January 20th, 2020

Residents of the parts of the U.S. with four distinct seasons know to expect chilly temperatures from Thanksgiving to Easter (and sometimes beyond). But many Floridians are just as likely to need their air conditioner as their heater during the winter months, which can make it tough to maintain a well-functioning HVAC system. Here are some tips and tricks you can use to protect your HVAC system during Florida’s unpredictable weather patterns.

Tags: ac unit preparation, ac unit protection, ac unit tips, air conditioner preparation, Air Conditioning Efficiency
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8 HVAC Tips for 2020

Friday, January 17th, 2020

Jacksonville’s climate, with its frequently-fluctuating temperatures and high humidity levels, can make HVAC maintenance a challenge. Fortunately, engaging in some regular preventive maintenance can often help you avoid big-ticket repairs. This article will explore 8 ways you can optimize your HVAC’s performance in 2020.

Tags: ac tips, ac unit tips, Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning Efficiency, air conditioning system, air conditioning tips
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How to Know If Your A/C Cooling Setting Is Too Low

Wednesday, July 17th, 2019

According to Consumer Reports, the cost to run your A/C increases about three percent by each degree you lower your thermostat. Not only can maintaining your A/C at a more efficient temperature reduce your summer energy bills, but it can also extend the life of your unit. Learn more about the optimal temperature setting for your central A/C.

Pick a Number and Stick to It

It’s important to avoid constantly adjusting your thermostat, regardless of what setting you choose. Although it can be more economical and efficient to keep your A/C at around five to 10 degrees above its base setting while you’re at work, cycling within the same five-degree range just forces your A/C to work harder without resulting in a measurable reduction in your electricity bill.

What Temperature Is Best?

Both EPA and Consumer Reports recommend a setting of 78 degrees when you’re at home, 85 degrees when you’re away, and 82 degrees when you’re sleeping. Although this can seem high if you’re used to something lower, it is surprisingly comfortable—especially when you consider that having the thermostat set at 82 degrees doesn’t mean the room will necessarily feel like 82 degrees.

Can Low Settings Cause Damage?

As previously stated, the lower you set your thermostat the more your unit will work, adding more wear and tear to your system. This can increase the risk for more problems down the line. To help maintain your unit and extend its life, installing programmable thermostats is recommended. Programmable thermostats help optimize the use of your unit by automatically lowering your home’s temperature when needed and raising it when you are not home.

The professional technicians at A/C Designs can diagnose your system, address any issues, and get it back into good working order in no time. As one of the leading cooling and heating companies in the Jacksonville area, we offer repair, maintenance, new unit installation, and a wide range of other indoor air quality services. Get in touch with one of our experienced technicians today.

Tags: AC Maintenance, ac system, AC unit, air conditioner, air conditioner tips, Air Conditioning Efficiency
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5 Tips For Improving Energy Efficiency This Summer

Monday, May 20th, 2019

The blistering summer sun is coming before you know it, making now the ideal time to start incorporating energy-efficient behaviors that will help you reduce your energy consumption.

Tags: ac system, AC unit, Air Conditioner Repair, Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning Efficiency, Energy efficiency
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4 Heating Mistakes that are Costing You Money

Tuesday, January 29th, 2019

Winter is here and with it brings chilly homes, high heating costs, and leaving people to wonder if there are any money-saving steps they could take. The key to improved home comfort (and more money in your pocket) is understanding common heating mistakes you might be making and how to fix them.

Tags: Air Conditioning Efficiency, Air Conditioning Maintenance, Heat Pump, Heating, heating and cooling, Heating Repair, Heating System Maintenance, Heating System Repair, Heating System Replacement
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