With summer temperatures soaring, air conditioning feels more like a necessity than a luxury. Around two-thirds of all homes in the U.S. have air conditioning, whether window units or central air conditioning that’s part of an HVAC system. Air conditioning repair is an important job, not only because it helps millions of people stay cool and comfortable in the summer, but also because by improving the efficiency of HVAC systems, if lowers electric usage and the overall carbon footprint of the building.
Air conditioning does more than just cooling
You can live without AC in the summer, of course, but it’s a lot harder. That’s because air conditioning doesn’t just cool the place, it also removes humidity and filters the air you breathe. When temperatures get dangerously high, the heat index soars. The heat index indicates the combined impact of high temperatures and atmospheric pollution, which can be a dangerous combination.
Especially for the elderly, or those with asthma or other chronic conditions, air conditioning in the summer can be literally a lifesaver. Even if you don’t have any medical conditions, air conditioning just allows you to function normally, without feeling frazzled and distracted all the time.
According to the American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the standard comfort range for humans varies from 72F and 78F, for a person wearing get summer clothing. The comfort level for relative humidity is between 35% and 60%. Air conditioners help to achieve exactly that level of comfort, which is why they are such a popular choice in both residential and commercial buildings.
Regular repairs and maintenance promote efficiency
The popularity of air conditioning systems results in a massive demand for electricity. In the U.S., about 5% of the total electricity produced is used for air conditioning. The annual cost of this electric usage is about $11 billion for homeowners. Air conditioning repairs and maintenance not only help your system to work efficiently, they also help the environment by reducing electric usage.
Even though the majority of U.S. homes have HVAC systems or air conditioning, only 42% of those have it serviced annually. Keeping your air conditioner system in good condition saves money and improves your comfort. When the system has broken parts or leaky ducts, it can lead to excessive humidity. Leaky ducts can also lead to excessive dust in your home.
Regular repairs and maintenance can also reduce running costs. By having an AC repair company replace the central air conditioning equipment, or even just the components that are more than 15 years old, its overall efficiency can be improved. Repairs and maintenance can lead to energy savings.
Newer appliances are more energy efficient
Not only does your heating and cooling system become less efficient over time, newer appliances are much more energy efficient. Clean air products, SEER systems and energy efficient systems are some of the advances in the the industry over the past decade. Energy star certified air conditioning systems can be up to 15% more efficient than older models.
Many homes built in the 1980s have their original air conditioning equipment, which meant that they are twenty years old, or even older. An HVAC company can replace your older system with high efficiency air conditioners. Along with other steps to keep your home cooler, this could reduce your electric bills by 20% to 50% each year.
Air conditioning repair services can help keep your home cooler, reduce running costs and help the environment. For all of these reasons, they play an important part in our daily lives.
