Air conditioners use a lot of energy, which translates into bad news for the planet and your wallet. We all know this, but few people are willing to forgo air conditioning when the temperatures are unpleasantly hot. The good news is you don’t have to.
There are many things you can do to improve the efficiency of your air conditioner. You can keep it in pristine condition and make some changes to your home in order to maximize the efficiency of your home AC. Here’s how to increase your home AC efficiency.
Keep Your AC in Better Condition
An air conditioner that is in pristine condition will operate with better efficiency. You should have your air conditioner inspected and maintained at least once a year to ensure it runs smoothly. Several problems, from a dirty filter to loose parts can dramatically reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner. Your HVAC professional can fix these issues and prevent them from creating more serious problems.
Here are some signs that your air conditioner could use some help from the professionals to start working well again:
- Leaks or condensation from the air conditioner
- Ice on the compressor
- Turning on and off frequently
- Unusual sounds such as whining or rattling
- Utilities cost more than usual
Reduce the Load on Your AC
The harder your air conditioner has to work, the more wear and tear it suffers. If you can reduce the heat in your home in other ways, you lessen the stress and reduce the amount of energy your air conditioner uses. Both will reduce your costs.
Here are some ways to reduce the amount of work your air conditioner has to do:
- Blinds or curtains: The sun brings a lot of heat into your home through the windows. Consider covering them to significantly reduce the load on your AC.
- Lamps: If you have a lamp near your thermostat, it will think it’s much warmer than it is, overworking the air conditioner. Move any lamps and other things that create heat, further away from the thermostat.
- Vacuum: If your vents and registers are clean, the cool air will flow through them better, resolving cold and hot spots in your home. Vacuum the registers and vents weekly to keep things flowing.
- Oven and dryer: Both your oven and your dryer create significant heat. If you can, avoid using them from noon until four, the hottest parts of the day. If you do use them at this time, your air conditioner might have to run constantly just to keep up.
Need help getting your home and your air conditioner ready for summer? RB Heating Climate Care is here to help. We can maintain and repair your air conditioner and give you more tips to keep it running as efficiently as possible.
