Eight Big Mistakes You're Making With Your Home Air Conditioning Unit

Posted by Avelina on April 30th, 2021

All-time summertime heat records keep buckling under the weight of rising global temperatures-- a pattern that strikes home, actually and figuratively, when you receive your regular monthly cooling expense. Mistakes you're making with your house Air Conditioner may be undercutting its efficiency, efficiency, and safety, experts say.

If you have a badly maintained system, it can end up being polluted with bacteria that might be harmful if inhaled. Common symptoms are asthma problems and allergies.

Here are 8 of the most typical mistakes people make when it comes to home air conditioning maintenance toronto A/C, and some simple modifications that can save your lungs and wallet.

# 1. You Aren't Changing or Cleaning Your AC Filters

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

Disregard this task, and an unclean filter can lead to bad air flow or freezing up of your unit's evaporator coil, says James Braun, a teacher of engineering and director of the Center for High Efficiency Structures at Purdue University. An unclean filter might add 5% to 15% to your A/C expense, and will shorten the life-span of your entire system. Replacement filters are quite inexpensive-- normally less than .

If you have ductless "split" Air Conditioning units, there need to be a removable panel on your system that will enable you to wipe off the filter with a rag-- no replacement necessary.

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

You might look up online video tutorials about cleaning your Air Conditioner unit's coils and fins-- necessary upkeep operations that keep your system up and running efficiently. You might also bring in a professional to service your system once a year. The U.S. Department of Energy uses some ideas when looking for A/C service contractors.

# 3. You Do not Have a Programmable Thermostat

Perhaps you are among those super-humans who always keeps in mind to adjust the thermostat prior to leaving the house. However if you resemble the rest people, a programmable thermostat can save you hundreds on your annual AC expense by instantly raising the temp at those times of day when you're at work or away from home. Newer phone-controllable "wise" thermostats make programs even simpler.

# 4. You're Setting Your Thermostat Too Low

Research shows the body is capable of adapting to hot or cool temperature levels pretty quickly-- like within a week or two. When you consider you'll cut up to 3% off your Air Conditioner expense for every single degree you raise the temperature level-- not to mention the possible environmental benefits of decreasing your AC use-- it deserves sweating through that change period and setting your thermostat somewhere in the high 70s (or higher if you can manage it).

# 5. You're Not Taking Full Benefit of Fans

Any kind of fan, however especially ceiling fans, can help keep one's cool air circulating throughout your house. That eliminates a few of the concern from your AC system. Simply make certain 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 pieces of the day, that could shake off its readings and cause it to crank your Air Conditioning even though your place is happily cool. Specifically if you're away throughout the day, you may not understand your system is working overtime due to a misplaced thermostat.

Blocking AC vents with furniture or curtains can likewise limit air flow. Unless you spend a great deal of time gathered under your couch, you'll wish to make sure your Air Conditioner vents are unobstructed.

# 7. You're Cooling Empty Rooms

If Air Conditioning vents are open in every space of your house, you're cooling a lot of realty that may not remain in usage on a daily basis. Walk around and close those Air Conditioner vents that open onto empty spaces. Likewise, closing closet doors ensures those areas aren't swallowing your cold air.

# 8. You Do not Have Blinds Or Curtains

Bright sunlight is your Air Conditioning system's bane. By closing blinds and moving drapes to obstruct the sun's rays, you'll likewise shield your area from the sun's heat, professionals state.