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Save money on your air-conditioning bill this summer

Air conditioners are responsible for the major part of most companies electric bills during the summer months and heaters are responsible for a large part of the utility bills during the winter. While they can be significant there are several simple things you can do to cut back on our bills. These include:

1. Maintenance

Maintain Your System – With the proper maintenance your air conditioning and heating equipment will work more economically and be dependable for years to come.

With a few easy and routine procedures you can keep your unit at peak performance and get the maximum amount of comfort from your HVAC system. For more information on self-maintenance on your central air conditioner please get in touch with one of our specialists.

2. Tune Up

To keep your central air conditioner and heater working to its fullest potential occasionally you need a tune-up. If you choose to skip regular maintenance you will find yourself paying for a major repair down the line. If you skip your regular maintenance, you will cost yourself money and be inconvenienced in the long run.

For maximum performance and long life have a professional perform needed maintenance on your air conditioner in the spring and your furnace or heat pump in the fall. For more information on professional maintenance on your central air conditioner and heater please get in touch with one of our specialists.

3. Buy an Efficient Unit

One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a unit is the efficiency. The higher the efficiency of the unit the more it will cost you in the beginning but an investment in a higher efficiency system will return your investment many times over in cost savings over the course of the equipment’s lifespan.

Air conditioner efficiency is rated in SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. SEER ratings tell you how much cooling you get back for a unit of electricity so the higher the number the more you get for your money.

4. A Programmable Thermostat

You should consider investing in a programmable thermostat especially if your office is empty for part of the day. This will allow you to set your unit to a more efficient temperature while you are gone and then have it drop back to a comfortable level thirty minutes before you are due to arrive home.

Some people also like to set a different temperature for when they are asleep then their waking hours. Most thermostats can be set for a particular day of the week so you can bypass your program or change it on days when you are not occupying the office, like weekends.

5. Seal your Ducts

Have you ever had your ductwork checked to see if it needs any repairs or if it needs to be replaced?

If some offices in your building are too hot or too cold, if the insulation is peeling or if there is a build-up of contaminants inside consider having your ducts evaluated to see if they need replacing.

Also, return grilles and grills in each office should be evaluated to see if they are properly sized and working correctly.

6. Consider Zoning your Air-Con & Heating Units

Many people can save energy from heating and cooling costs by using a zoned system.

Zoned systems can be as simple as two heating and cooling systems, one for two different parts of the building such as one for ground floor and one for the first floor or they can be a bit more complex utilising baffles and separate thermostats so that you can heat and cool only the areas you need.

Contact Jigsaw FM

For more information about air-conditioning in your workplace, please contact us and one of our specialists will come and complete a site survey to make sure the correct air-conditioning method is chosen for you.