6 Tips To Make Your Air Conditioner Run More Efficiently
When the temperatures begin climbing outside, you and your family want a cool, comfortable home. At the same time, with energy bills always seeming to get higher, it's a good idea to look for ways to be more efficient. If your air conditioning system runs as efficiently as possible, not only will your electric bills go down, but you will help the environment as well by wasting less energy. Here are six ways to help your air conditioner run more efficiently:
Get Your AC Inspected Each Spring
It's important to have your air conditioning unit inspected and tuned up each year before you start using it. A trained HVAC professional knows exactly what to look for when it comes to making sure your air conditioning system is running as efficiently and well as possible. If they notice anything amiss, they can repair it for you before it turns into a more serious and costly problem. The most efficient air conditioner is a well-maintained air conditioner.
Use Ceiling Fans
While ceiling fans don't actually cool down the temperature, they do circulate the cool air from your AC, allowing it to flow more effectively and making things more comfortable. Best of all, ceiling fans only use around 75 watts of electricity (about the same as a lightbulb), making them a very energy-efficient way to keep things comfortable in the summer.
Change Your Filters
Your air conditioner filters should be changed about once a month during the time of year when you are actively using your AC. If you don't change the filters, they become clogged with dust, pet hair, and other debris. Not only does this stuff then get circulated into the air you and your family breathe, but dirty filters also cause your air conditioner to work much less efficiently, since the air can't flow as freely.
Luckily, air conditioner filters are very affordable, and you can easily change them yourself.
Protect Your AC Unit from the Sun
Your air conditioning unit will work more efficiently if it's in a shady area, rather than in direct sunlight. Ideally, you will install your AC unit in a cool, shady spot, preferably on the north side of your home where it will get the least amount of sunlight.
If it's already installed somewhere less shady and it would be inconvenient to move it, you can create shade for it by purchasing a screen for it at a home improvement store, or even by planting shrubbery close by.
Weatherize Your Windows and Doors
Even the highest quality air conditioning unit will be inefficient if tons of cool air is allowed to escape through the doors and windows. If this is the case, you'll find yourself cranking the air more and more just to get things comfortable.
Each spring, go around to all the doors and windows and check the weather stripping. Weather stripping tends to wear down and degrade over time, sometimes even cracking and peeling off. Replace any weather stripping in bad shape, and caulk any cracks where air may be escaping.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
An important way to cool your home efficiently and without wasting energy is to let the house be warmer during the day when everyone is at work or school. In the early morning rush to get out the door it can be hard to always remember to turn down the AC, however. This is where programmable thermostats come in handy. Simply pre-program it to the temperature you want each day during set hours and let it do its thing.
By implementing these tips at home, you will have a comfortably cool place to live and more manageable electric bills.
If you find your unit is in need of more extensive maintenance or repairs, contact a professional service, such as Wright Total Indoor Comfort.
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