When the summer heats up and hits in Colorado, you need an efficient, well-maintained air conditioner in Colorado Springs that blasts cool air without the skyrocketing utility bills. Our community’s dry, high-altitude climate can also send your air conditioner working overtime.

If you’re trying to stretch out the lifespan of your AC or just installed a new one, a few updates and a strategic approach can help you save money every month.

Here are seven of the smartest AC upgrades that boost the performance while stabilizing your energy bills or even bringing them down. 

1. Switch to a Smart Thermostat for Precision Cooling

A smart thermostat is the brain of your Colorado Springs air conditioner’s unit and learns your habits based on real-time preferences. It can even use local weather data to fine-tune your settings to give you the ultimate control over your thermostat. If you’re away from home frequently or just forget to adjust your thermostat on a regular basis, smart technology lets you control it remotely or create energy-saving schedules with the convenience of your phone.

Pro tip: Smart thermostats help reduce energy savings by 15% annually, especially in climates like Colorado Springs, where mornings are cool and afternoons heat with dramatic temperature shifts. The team at Big Cat Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is here to help you choose the best, most efficient smart thermostat for your system. We’ll also install it, program it, show you how it works, and make sure it’s ready to go for maximum seasonal efficiency.

2. Stop Cooling Empty Rooms with Zoning Systems

If you’re tired of some rooms in your home freezing you out while others are hot and uncomfortable, consider switching to zoned cooling. Systems like heat pumps work by splitting your home into different temperature zones. Zoning is also an ideal solution if you’ve recently renovated your home and added on an in-law suite or turned your garage or attic into living space and need cooling and heating options.

Pro tip: Zoning systems prevent wasting valuable energy dollars on cooling down rooms you’re barely using or avoiding uneven temperatures. It’s the perfect solution for multi-story homes or basements. Give us a call and we’ll come out to discuss custom-designing and retrofitting zoning systems that align with your lifestyle, preferences, and budget.

3. UV Filters Clean and Extend the Lifespan of Your Air Conditioner 

Most homeowners only think about indoor air quality as a health and comfort issue, but it actually plays a big role in your air conditioner’s performance. UV air purification systems can kill mold, bacteria, and viruses before they reach your coils or ductwork and make their way into your home. The cleaner the coils, the better the heat exchange and the longer your Colorado Springs air conditioner’s lifespan.

Pro tip: Despite Colorado Springs’ dry air climate, airborne dust and allergens are still common problems. UV filters keep your system clean, protect your family’s health, and work silently in your air handler or ducts. They also work 24/7 to keep your home clean, efficient, and safe while improving the efficiency of your air conditioner. 

4. Ductwork Optimization: Seal, Clean, and Size It Right

If your ductwork is leaking, too narrow, dirty, moldy, or damaged, your air conditioner will struggle to keep your home cool. Unfortunately, many of Colorado Springs’ older homes have outdated ductwork and need attention or a complete replacement. 

Pro tips: According to the Department of Energy, the average home loses 20% to 30% of cool air through leaky ducts. Whether it’s a pinpoint hole or tears, your air conditioner is losing valuable energy dollars through walls and crawlspaces. Before installing and upgrading a new air conditioner in Colorado Springs, the team at Big Cat will inspect your ductwork for leaks, test air pressure, and consider a new AC size if needed. We can also clean out the dust and debris from your ductwork that chokes the airflow. 

5. Fine-Tuning Your AC’s Airflow

More airflow doesn’t necessarily mean better performance. If there’s too much or too little airflow, it could reduce your AC’s cooling efficiency and lead to system damage over time. We’ll come out to evaluate your blower speed, static pressure, and register placement to optimize delivery.

Pro tip: Giving us a call to fine-tune your airflow means your AC won’t have to work as hard, especially in a higher evaluation area like Colorado Springs where the air is thin and heat transfer is less efficient. We also have the tools to balance airflow in each room to ensure your comfort and creating more consistent airflow throughout your home.

6. Strategic Summer Shading

What’s going on outside of your home to keep it cool is just as important as the inside. Investing in exterior shading, like planting trees, installing awnings, or using window films, can help drop the temperature and make your home less reliant on your AC system.

Pro tip: Focus on reducing direct sunlight on your AC condenser to help improve its efficiency. You can also shade and insulate your windows to keep your home cooler with less effort. We can guide you with the most cost-effective strategies, including recommended landscaping and low-e window treatments.

7. Insulation and Ventilation Tune-Up

The high altitude of UV rays and its dry winds can quickly wear down your attic’s insulation. Poor insulation or attic ventilation means your cool air escapes before it can make its way into your home and cool it down. 

Pro tip: Upgrading your attic’s insulation can reduce temperatures by up to 20 to 30% and keep your ducts and living space cooler by cutting down on your AC’s workload. We will visit your home to assess the insulation and ventilation in your attic, and we can suggest cost-effective options and upgrades that will enhance the efficiency of your air conditioner. 

Upgrade Your Colorado Springs Air Conditioner with Big Cat Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

You don’t need to overhaul your entire cooling system to get better, more efficient results. With the help of a few smart upgrades, you can lower your summer electric bills and help your AC system run smoother than ever.

Give the Colorado Springs HVAC service experts at Big Cat Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call! We offer customized AC efficiency tune-ups, repairs, installations, heat pump service, and more. Schedule your appointment today!

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