Which Wastes More Energy, An Air Conditioner or Heater?
Wondering which wastes more energy, your AC or heater? Follow these HVAC tips to make your air conditioning more energy-efficient and lower your cooling costs.
Thousands of homeowners often wonder why the cost of cooling a house is so much higher than the cost of heating. While that can be true for people living in hotter climates, it isn’t true for most people. In the Mid-Atlantic region and most regions, heating during the winter can be just as expensive as cooling, if not more so.
Energy-efficient homes are certainly better at conserving both heat and cool air. Still, wintertime heating can occasionally be up to two times as much as cooling. If you have an older house, the costs could be up to four times as high. That’s a lot of money to waste on heat.
Why do you see higher costs for cooling then? Because there’s something wrong with your air conditioning unit. Poor efficiency, insufficient insulation, and other common issues can cause cooling your home to cost more.
Energy Costs
In most homes, the HVAC system makes up about 50% of all the energy used. Your AC has several complicated and intricate components. That means it takes a great deal of energy to get it running and keep it going as it should. If your bill is staying high or even going up even though you haven’t turned on the AC more, then something could be wrong with the HVAC device or the insulation of your home.
Temperature Differences
Cooling your home should also be easier because of temperature differences. For example, if you want it 65° inside and 78° outside, your AC has to get rid of 13°. If it’s 33° outside, like during the winter, your heating system has to pump enough heat to raise the temperature by 32°. That’s a lot more work. As the temperature goes up, heat transfer speeds up. During the summer, heat goes into your home slower than during winter, which means your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to get heat outside.
Escaping Air
Your HVAC efficiency can also be affected by leaking air. Insufficient ductwork can allow the air to filter out from your AC to other rooms. You can tell if you have leaky ducts by listening to the system’s hissing or rattling noises as it runs. Although, a small leak likely won’t make a noise. In that case, you’ll want a technician to come to the house and check it out.
Your doors and windows can also leak, and poor weatherstripping allows air to escape and drives down efficiency. Check your weatherstripping regularly for cracks and signs of damage. Insulating your home properly is a significant benefit to the HVAC’s efficiency.
Check Your Thermostat
You’ll also want to check your thermostat. An issue here can waste energy and make the AC run too long. Thermostats also shouldn’t be in the sun because it can cause them to read a higher temperature.
If your air conditioning bills are still running high, reach out to our HVAC technicians at Jamison Heating & Cooling Services. We can help you diagnose and resolve the issue quickly.
