Eight Big Mistakes You're Making With Your Air Conditioner

Posted by Stlouis on April 27th, 2021

All-time summer season heat records keep giving in the weight of increasing international temperatures-- a pattern that hits home, actually and figuratively, when you receive your monthly air conditioning bill. Mistakes you're making with your house Air Conditioner may be damaging its effectiveness, efficiency, and safety, professionals state.

If you have a severely maintained system, it can become polluted with bacteria that may be hazardous if breathed in. Typical signs are asthma problems and allergic reactions.

Here are eight of the most common errors people make when it pertains to house Air Conditioner, and some simple modifications that can conserve your lungs and wallet.

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

At a minimum, you should be altering the filter on your main A/C unit when every 3 months-- and as frequently as when a month if your system is running all the time.

Disregard this chore, and an unclean filter can cause bad 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. An unclean filter might include 5% to 15% to your Air Conditioner costs, and will shorten the lifespan of your entire system. Replacement filters are pretty inexpensive-- typically less than .

If you have ductless "split" AC systems, there must be a removable panel on your unit that will permit you to wipe off the filter with a rag-- no replacement required.

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

You could search for online video tutorials about cleaning your Air Conditioner 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 uses some pointers when browsing for AC service professionals.

# 3. You Do not Have a Programmable Thermostat

Possibly you're one of those super-humans who always remembers to adjust the thermostat prior to leaving the house. If you're like the rest of us, a programmable thermostat can save you hundreds on your annual Air Conditioner expense by instantly raising the temperature at those times of day when you're at work or away from home. Newer phone-controllable "smart" thermostats make shows even simpler.

# 4. You're Setting Your Thermostat Too Low

Research shows the body is capable of adjusting to hot or cool temperature levels quite rapidly-- like within a week or more. When you consider you'll cut up to 3% off your Air Conditioner bill for every degree you raise the temperature level-- not to discuss the potential environmental benefits of lowering your A/C usage-- it's worth sweating through that modification period and setting your thermostat someplace in the high 70s (or greater if you can manage it).

# 5. You're Not Taking Complete Advantage of Fans

Any kind of fan, but especially ceiling fans, can help keep one's cool air flowing throughout your home. That eliminates a few of the burden from your Air Conditioning system. Simply make certain your ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise throughout the summer, which promotes higher air flow.

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

If the sun or a neighboring light blasts your thermostat for big chunks of the day, that could shake off its readings and trigger it to crank your Air Conditioning even though your place is happily cool. Especially if you're away during the day, you might not understand your system is working overtime due to a lost thermostat.

Obstructing Air Conditioning vents with furnishings or curtains can likewise limit air blood circulation. Unless you spend a lot of time huddled heating and cooling toronto under your couch, you'll want to make sure your Air Conditioner vents are unobstructed.

# 7. You're Cooling Empty Rooms

If A/C vents are open in every space of your house, you're cooling a great deal of property that might not be in usage on a day-to-day basis. Walk around and close those A/C vents that open onto empty spaces. Closing closet doors makes sure those areas aren't swallowing your cold air.

# 8. You Do not Have Blinds Or Curtains

Bright sunlight is your AC system's nemesis. By closing blinds and sliding curtains to block the sun's rays, you'll also shield your space from the sun's heat, experts state.