Eight Big Mistakes You're Making With Your Home AC Unit

Posted by Synthia on April 27th, 2021

All-time summer season heat records keep giving in the weight of rising international temps-- a pattern that strikes home, literally and figuratively, when you get your month-to-month air conditioning bill. Regrettably, errors you're making with your home AC may be undercutting its efficiency, efficiency, and security, experts say.

If you have a severely kept system, it can end up being infected with microbes that might be hazardous if breathed in. Typical symptoms are asthma issues and allergies.

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

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

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

Neglect this task, and a filthy filter can result in poor air circulation or freezing up of your system's evaporator coil, says James Braun, a teacher of engineering and director of the Center for High Performance Structures at Purdue University. An unclean filter might add 5% to 15% to your A/C expense, and will shorten the life expectancy of your entire system. Replacement filters are quite cheap-- normally less than .

If you have ductless "split" Air Conditioner systems, there ought to be a removable panel on your system that will enable you to wipe off the filter with a rag-- no replacement needed.

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

You could look up online video tutorials about cleaning your Air Conditioner unit's coils and fins-- needed maintenance operations that keep your system up and running efficiently. You might also bring in a pro to service your system once a year. The U.S. Department of Energy offers some tips when searching for Air Conditioner service contractors.

# 3. You Don't Have a Programmable Thermostat

Possibly you're one of those super-humans who constantly remembers to change the thermostat prior to leaving your home. If you're like the rest of us, a programmable thermostat can conserve you hundreds on your annual AC costs by instantly raising the temperature at those times of day when you're at work or away from home. Newer phone-controllable "clever" thermostats make programming even easier.

# 4. You're Setting Your Thermostat Too Low

Research study shows the body is capable of adapting to hot or cool temperature levels pretty rapidly-- 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 mention the potential ecological benefits of decreasing your Air Conditioning use-- it's worth 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 Taking Full Advantage of Fans

Any type of fan, however particularly ceiling fans, can assist keep cool air flowing throughout your home. That removes a few of the burden 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 Inadequately Placed

If the sun or a nearby light blasts your thermostat for big portions of the day, that might shake off its readings and cause it to crank your Air Conditioner even though your location is pleasantly cool. Specifically if you're away throughout the day, you may not understand your system is working overtime due to a misplaced thermostat.

Blocking Air Conditioning vents with furniture or curtains can likewise restrict air flow. Unless you invest a great deal of time huddled under your couch, you'll desire to make sure your Air Conditioner vents are unblocked.

# 7. You're Cooling Empty Rooms

If A/C vents are open in every room of your home, you're cooling a lot of realty that may not be in usage on a day-to-day basis. Walk around and close those AC vents that ac repair toronto open onto unoccupied rooms. Closing closet doors guarantees those areas aren't swallowing your cold air.

# 8. You Don't Have Blinds Or Curtains

Bright sunlight is your Air Conditioning system's bane. By closing blinds and sliding curtains to obstruct the sun's rays, you'll also shield your space from the sun's heat, specialists state.