Eight Big Mistakes You're Making With Your AC System

Posted by Freyer on April 3rd, 2021

All-time summer season heat records keep giving in the weight of rising worldwide temperatures-- a pattern that strikes house, actually furnace repair edmonton reviews and figuratively, when you receive your monthly cooling expense. Regrettably, mistakes you're making with your home A/C may be undercutting its effectiveness, efficiency, and safety, experts say.

If you have a badly maintained system, it can become infected with bacteria that may be damaging if inhaled. Typical signs are asthma issues and allergies.

Here are eight of the most common mistakes individuals make when it concerns house A/C, and some easy modifications that can conserve your lungs and wallet.

# 1. You Aren't Altering or Cleaning Your Air Conditioner Filters

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

Overlook this chore, and a dirty filter can lead to poor air circulation or freezing up of your unit's evaporator coil, says James Braun, a professor of engineering and director of the Center for High Performance Structures at Purdue University. A filthy filter might include 5% to 15% to your AC costs, and will shorten the life-span of your entire system. Replacement filters are pretty inexpensive-- usually less than .

If you have ductless "split" Air Conditioner units, there ought to be a removable panel on your unit that will permit you to rub out the filter with a rag-- no replacement necessary.

# 2. You're Not Having Your System Serviced Yearly

You might look up online video tutorials about cleaning your AC system's coils and fins-- necessary maintenance operations that keep your system up and running efficiently. You might likewise bring in a pro to service your system once a year. The U.S. Department of Energy offers some ideas when looking for AC service professionals.

# 3. You Do not Have a Programmable Thermostat

Perhaps you are among those super-humans who constantly keeps in mind to adjust the thermostat before leaving your house. However if you're like the rest of us, a programmable thermostat can conserve you hundreds on your annual Air Conditioner bill by immediately raising the temp at those times of day when you're at work or far from house. More recent phone-controllable "clever" thermostats make shows even simpler.

# 4. You're Setting Your Thermostat Too Low

Research shows the body is capable of adapting to hot or cool temperature levels quite quickly-- like within a week or more. When you consider you'll cut up to 3% off your Air Conditioning expense for every degree you raise the temperature level-- not to point out the possible environmental benefits of lowering your AC use-- it's worth sweating through that modification duration and setting your thermostat someplace in the high 70s (or higher if you can handle it).

# 5. You're Not Maximizing Fans

Any kind of fan, but specifically ceiling fans, can help keep one's cool air circulating throughout your home. That eliminates a few of the concern from your A/C system. Just make certain your ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise during the summer season, which promotes greater air circulation.

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

If the sun or a nearby lamp blasts your thermostat for huge pieces of the day, that might shake off its readings and trigger it to crank your Air Conditioning although your place is happily cool. Especially if you're away during the day, you might not realize your system is working overtime due to a lost thermostat.

Blocking A/C vents with furnishings or drapes can likewise limit air flow. Unless you invest a great deal of time gathered under your sofa, you'll wish to make sure your A/C vents are unblocked.

# 7. You're Cooling Empty Spaces

If A/C vents are open in every space of your home, you're chilling a lot of realty that might not be in usage on an everyday basis. Walk around and close those Air Conditioning vents that open onto unoccupied spaces. Likewise, closing closet doors makes sure those areas aren't swallowing your cold air.

# 8. You Don't Have Blinds Or Curtains

Intense sunlight is your Air Conditioner system's nemesis. By closing blinds and sliding drapes to obstruct the sun's rays, you'll likewise shield your space from the sun's heat, experts state.