Any air conditioning system in our area is going to get a workout during the summer. Fortunately, air conditioners are built with efficiency in mind.
However, what if you aren’t using your cooling system as efficiently as possible? There are Waterloo air conditioning services that will help with this, like routine AC maintenance, but even with maintenance, there are a number of ways an AC system could lose efficiency and start raising your utility bills.
Read on as we uncover some of the top tips for using your cooling system as efficiently as possible.
Raise the Thermostat by a Few Degrees
No, we aren’t asking you to turn on the heat during hot weather! However, you might be keeping the thermostat set lower than necessary. A lower setting doesn’t provide you with cooling any faster, anyway. All it does is keep your compressor running longer, which is a waste of energy.
Many homeowners set their thermostats down around 72°F when in actuality, the majority of people are comfortable at 78°F. Even if you have it a little lower than that during the day, leaving it around 78°F when you aren’t home or when you’re sleeping is a great way to conserve energy and increase efficiency.
Clear Debris Away from Outdoor Unit
The outdoor condenser cabinet of your air conditioner is where your air conditioner exhausts the heat it removes from indoors. Your cooling system can’t do this effectively if the area surrounding this unit is dirty, or blocked by lawn clippings, tree branches, leaves, etc.
You’ll want to clear out this area by about a foot on all sides. If there is dirt and grime on the unit, use a low-pressure hose to wash it off. Avoid using a high-pressured hose as this may damage the coils.
Clear Debris Away from Indoor Vents and Registers
Do a walkthrough in your home to check that all your vents are fully open and that none are blocked by furniture, rugs, curtains, or anything else. Use a vacuum hose to clean off dirt and lint from the register so that the ventilation system can breathe easier.
Change the Air Filter
Many homeowners assume that the air filter within their HVAC systems is in place to protect their indoor air quality. While this air filter helps a bit with that, this is not its true purpose. The air filter is in place to protect the interior components of the system itself from dust, dirt, and other debris that could get in and negatively impact the interior components.
Use Your Ceiling Fans
The ceiling fans in your home, of course, cannot lower the temperature inside your rooms. But what they can do is help evenly distribute the air coming from your cooling system. This helps you feel cooler so that you don’t have to set your air conditioner’s thermostat down so low—therefore increasing system efficiency.
At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online.