8 Huge Errors You're Making With Your Air Conditioner

Posted by Roland on April 1st, 2021

All-time summer season heat records keep giving in the weight of rising international temperatures-- a trend that strikes home, actually and figuratively, when you get your regular monthly a/c costs. Mistakes you're making with your house A/C may be damaging its effectiveness, efficiency, and security, specialists state.

If you have a severely kept system, it can end up being polluted with microorganisms that might be hazardous if inhaled. Typical symptoms are asthma issues and allergic reactions.

Here are 8 of the most common mistakes individuals make when it comes to house Air Conditioning, and some basic adjustments that can save your lungs and wallet.

# 1. You Aren't Altering or Cleaning Your A/C Filters

At a minimum, you need to be altering the filter on your main Air Conditioning unit as soon as every 3 months-- and as frequently as once a month if your system is running all the time.

Disregard this task, and a filthy filter can lead to bad air circulation or freezing up of your system's evaporator coil, states James Braun, a teacher of engineering and director of the Center for High Efficiency Buildings at Purdue University. air conditioners edmonton alberta A dirty filter could add 5% to 15% to your Air Conditioner expense, and will reduce the life-span of your whole system. Replacement filters are pretty cheap-- normally less than .

If you have ductless "split" AC units, there should be a detachable panel on your system that will allow you to rub out the filter with a rag-- no replacement essential.

# 2. You're Not Having Your System Serviced Each Year

You might look up online video tutorials about cleaning your A/C system's coils and fins-- essential upkeep operations that keep your system up and running effectively. You could also generate a professional to service your system once a year. The U.S. Department of Energy uses some pointers when searching for Air Conditioning service contractors.

# 3. You Do not Have a Programmable Thermostat

Maybe you're one of those super-humans who always keeps in mind to adjust the thermostat before leaving your house. If you're like the rest of us, a programmable thermostat can conserve you hundreds on your yearly AC costs by instantly raising the temp at those times of day when you're at work or away from house. Newer phone-controllable "smart" thermostats make programs even easier.

# 4. You're Setting Your Thermostat Too Low

Research shows the body can adjusting to hot or cool temperature levels quite quickly-- like within a week or 2. When you consider you'll cut up to 3% off your AC bill for every single degree you raise the temperature-- not to point out the potential environmental advantages of reducing your AC usage-- it deserves sweating through that adjustment duration and setting your thermostat someplace in the high 70s (or higher if you can manage it).

# 5. You're Not Making The Most Of Fans

Any kind of fan, but specifically ceiling fans, can assist keep cool air distributing throughout your home. That eliminates a few of the problem from your Air Conditioning system. Just make sure your ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise during the summer season, which promotes higher air circulation.

# 6. Your Thermostat and/or Vents Are Improperly Positioned

If the sun or a close-by light blasts your thermostat for big portions of the day, that could shake off its readings and trigger it to crank your AC despite the fact that your location is happily cool. Especially if you're away throughout the day, you may not understand your system is working overtime due to a misplaced thermostat.

Obstructing Air Conditioner vents with furniture or drapes can likewise limit air flow. Unless you invest a lot of time gathered under your sofa, you'll desire to make sure your Air Conditioner vents are unblocked.

# 7. You're Cooling Empty Spaces

If A/C vents are open in every room of your home, you're chilling a great deal of realty that might not remain in use on an everyday basis. Walk around and close those Air Conditioner vents that open onto unoccupied rooms. Likewise, closing closet doors makes sure those areas aren't swallowing your cold air.

# 8. You Don't Have Blinds Or Curtains

Brilliant sunlight is your Air Conditioner system's bane. By closing blinds and moving curtains to obstruct the sun's rays, you'll also shield your area from the sun's heat, experts say.