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Air Conditioner Maintenance & Upgrades
As the warmer weather settles in, many folks will soon be plugging in room air conditioners or turning on their central cooling systems for the first time this year. Giving a little extra attention to air conditioners now will go a long way toward helping to make this a cool, comfortable and energy-efficient summer.
Many central air conditioning systems operate at only 55 to 70 percent of their rated capacity. This is due in part to over-sized equipment, clogged filters or leaky air ducts. Regular inspections and maintenance of central air conditioners is important to keep them running at peak efficiency. NSTAR customers can get $100 off the cost of an expanded digital checkup performed by an authorized COOL SMART contractor.
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If you’re in the market for a new central air conditioner, purchasing a model that’s earned the ENERGY STAR can save up to 20 percent on cooling costs. NSTAR is offering rebates from $300 to $500 for the purchase and installation of a qualifying high-efficiency model. Customers looking for more information about the digital checkup or the rebates can call 800-473-1105 or visit www.mycoolsmart.com.
To help ensure peak operating efficiency of your window air conditioners, be sure to clean the filters periodically throughout the summer. Avoid using air conditioners to cool spaces larger than they’re designed to handle and, where possible, install them in windows that are not south-facing to keep the sun from beating down on them all day.
As with central systems, when shopping for a new window air conditioner, look for a model that’s earned the ENERGY STAR. They use at least 10 percent less energy than conventional models and often include timers for better control.
For more energy-saving tips, rebates and programs, click
on “Energy Efficiency” in the left-side menu above.
In my next column, I’ll discuss the year-round benefits of
energy efficient windows.
Bill Stack is NSTAR's energy efficiency spokesman. He can be reached by emailing brightideas@nstar.com. If you're a member of the media and would like to arrange an interview with Bill, please call Caroline Allen (617-424-2460) or Mike Durand (508-441-5831).
