Air conditioners are one of the biggest energy users in your home. This means summers in Florida bring high energy bills in addition to the hot weather. If high energy bills have you wanting to cut down on your energy use, you’ll want to be familiar with a variety of tips to save energy at home.

Summer is in full swing, and your air conditioner is working hard. Maybe a little too hard? Unfortunately, the stress of keeping up with a family’s cooling demands can eventually wear out even the hardiest air conditioner. If you think you’ll be looking for a new A/C before the end of the cooling season–or anytime this year–you’ll want to have the most advanced features.

Keeping cool in the summer is a necessity, so many Florida homeowners rely heavily on their central cooling systems. With significant use comes the greater likelihood of A/C problems. Understanding what the most common issues are so you can diagnose the issue and get it repaired quickly is a smart move for any A/C-dependent homeowner.

Strategies to increase energy savings in your home change with the seasons. During winter, household energy consumption is more diverse as heating, water heating and cooking skew consumption toward natural gas. When summer arrives and air conditioners and fans crank up, however, it’s mostly electricity.

A high-efficiency air conditioner can be a great long-term investment. This is especially true in Florida’s hot climate where its heavy use means the savings on energy bills will add up quickly. The savings are maximized if the air conditioner is achieving the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) that it was measured to have.

When you’re looking for an air conditioner replacement, choosing a system with a high seasonal energy efficiency ratio is a must. Did you know, though, that installation errors or oversights could actually lower the overall efficiency rating? By insisting that your contractor consider the following four factors, you’ll get the most value for your dollar.

Whether you live in Florida or Alaska, you’ll want optimal air quality in your home. After all, most people spend a lot of time in their homes, and unfortunately, the air inside is often much more polluted than the air outside. This is a concern, as many Americans have respiratory issues such as asthma or COPD.

With summer months close at hand, your AC system is going to get a workout soon. It’s important to recognize that optimum function is important for keeping your home safe and comfortable. Air conditioning maintenance should be a priority so that you don’t face the risk of an unexpected breakdown during hot weather.