Eight Huge Mistakes You're Making With Your AC System

Posted by Nicholls on April 25th, 2021

All-time summer season heat records keep buckling under the weight of rising international temperatures-- a trend that hits home, literally and figuratively, when you receive your monthly a/c bill. Regrettably, errors you're making with your house Air Conditioner might be damaging its performance, effectiveness, and safety, specialists say.

If you have a badly kept system, it can end up being infected with microbes that might be damaging if inhaled. Common signs are asthma problems and allergic reactions.

Here are eight of the most typical errors individuals make when it pertains to home A/C, and some basic modifications that can save your lungs and wallet.

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

At a minimum, you ought to be changing the filter on your central AC unit once every 3 months-- and as typically as when a month if your system is running all the time.

Overlook this chore, and an unclean filter can lead to poor 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. A filthy filter might include 5% to 15% to your Air Conditioning bill, and will shorten the lifespan of your whole system. Luckily, replacement filters are pretty low-cost-- generally less than .

If you have ductless "split" A/C systems, there should be a removable panel on your unit that will allow you to rub out the filter with a rag-- no replacement required.

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

You might search for online video tutorials about cleaning your Air Conditioning system's coils and fins-- required 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 offers some tips when searching for A/C service contractors.

# 3. You Do not Have a Programmable Thermostat

Possibly you are among those super-humans who constantly keeps in mind to adjust the thermostat prior to leaving your house. However if you're like the rest of us, a programmable thermostat can conserve you hundreds on your annual A/C costs by instantly raising the temp at those times of day when you're at work or away from house. Newer phone-controllable "wise" thermostats make programming even easier.

# 4. You're Setting Your Thermostat Too Low

Research study shows the body is capable of adjusting to hot or cool temperatures pretty quickly-- like within a week or 2. When you consider you'll cut up to 3% off your Air Conditioning bill for every degree you raise the temperature-- not to discuss the prospective environmental benefits of lowering your A/C usage-- it deserves sweating through that change duration and setting your thermostat someplace in the high 70s (or higher if you can manage it).

# air conditioning repair toronto 5. You're Not Taking Full Advantage of Fans

Any kind of fan, but particularly ceiling fans, can help keep cool air distributing throughout your home. That eliminates some of the problem from your AC system. Simply be sure your ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise during the summertime, which promotes higher air circulation.

# 6. Your Thermostat and/or Vents Are Badly Placed

If the sun or a neighboring lamp blasts your thermostat for big pieces of the day, that could throw off its readings and cause it to crank your AC although your place is pleasantly cool. Specifically if you're away throughout the day, you may not realize your system is working overtime due to a lost thermostat.

Obstructing AC vents with furnishings or curtains can likewise limit air flow. Unless you invest a lot of time huddled under your couch, you'll wish to make sure your A/C vents are unobstructed.

# 7. You're Cooling Empty Spaces

If AC vents are open in every space of your home, you're chilling a lot of real estate that may not remain in usage on a day-to-day basis. Walk and close those Air Conditioner vents that open onto empty rooms. Also, closing closet doors ensures those spaces aren't swallowing your cold air.

# 8. You Don't Have Blinds Or Curtains

Bright sunshine is your AC system's bane. By closing blinds and moving drapes to obstruct the sun's rays, you'll also protect your space from the sun's heat, experts say.