People who live in places where the summers are awfully hot understand the importance of high-quality air conditioners. When the temperature rises, most individuals feel uncomfortable, but they can always depend on the good performance of their air conditioners.
Proper maintenance of an air conditioner ensures that the unit will serve you for the years to come. The following are a few tips that can make your air conditioner much more reliable and energy efficient during hot summer days.
Check your filters
Air conditioners are equipped with filters that are specifically designed to catch dust in the air and other residue, and so it needs to be checked regularly. If the filters are not maintained properly, they get clogged and dirty which is not good for you or your air conditioner.
So, ensuring that the system has clean filters plays a significant role in maintaining the efficiency of your whole unit. Besides, cleaning or replacing the filters every now and then helps to sustain the cooling performance and cut down on utility bills.
Place the thermostat wisely
A thermostat is one of the most critical components of your air conditioning unit with which you will interact with it on a daily basis. It is nothing but a highly sensitive control system that acknowledges the changes in temperature inside your home.
Sometimes a thermostat can go wrong in so many ways which may cause severe problems for people using it. To avoid such issues do not place it above any home appliance that may radiate heat. Also, set it up in a place which is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Generally, issues with the thermostat generally affect other parts of the air conditioner, thus hiring an HVAC contractor can help you in identifying the source.
Smart thermostat
Smart thermostats are next generation temperature control systems which offer excellent control over your home’s temperature. With this device, you don’t have to bother adjusting the temperature before you step out of the house.
It automatically drops and raises your home’s temperature and also alerts you when it is time to replace the filter.
Weatherize
Usually, fresh air can escape from places such as windows, poorly insulated walls and through electric outlets. So, preventing the air from escaping will enhance the cooling and energy efficiency of your air conditioning system.
This is the reason why weatherizing is important when it comes to increasing the overall efficiency of your cooling system. Seal the air leaks with caulks and weather stripping to stop the cooler air from escaping through these cracks.
Clear debris
Most of the attention is given to the indoor unit while the unit outside lies there almost forgotten. With the passage of time, your outdoor unit will accumulate a fair amount of dust and dirt. Though it can be cleaned during system maintenance, it is your responsibility to keep the air conditioner clean throughout the year.
Therefore, cleaning the debris off the condenser unit is one of the crucial tasks when it comes to maintaining your air conditioner’s performance.
Keep the sunlight out
The rooms that receive direct sunlight at your home will be naturally warmer. So, keep the curtains closed to prevent the heat during summers, or even go a step further by insulating your windows with reflecting films.
Through this way, you can keep the heat outside of your home where it belongs. Though natural sunlight can reduce the lighting costs, it will increase the working duration of your air conditioner to keep your house cool.
Expert call-up
While most problems can be easily fixed through regular maintenance, some issues require the attention of a certified professional.
Studies even show that nearly 50% of air conditioners fail due to the lack of regular maintenance. Hence it is essential to call in an expert to inspect and clean the system to make it work smoothly. So, if there is a problem, it is essential to call a technician to carry out a thorough check-up and service.
Choose a shady spot
Your condenser system works more efficiently when it is placed under the shade, and where there’s no obstruction to the unit’s airflow. Moreover, keeping the outdoor unit and the air surrounding it cooler will prevent the system from overworking.
So, if you really want to improve the performance of your air conditioner, put your condenser unit in a shady spot outside your home.
Choose temperature wisely
During summer, when you set your air conditioner to a lower temperature, you’re simply increasing its energy usage. In fact, an air conditioner consumes less energy to cool the entire house down than keeping it running non-stop for 24/7.
So, always make sure to set your air conditioner to a higher comfortable temperature when you are at home. It is also advisable to turn off the air conditioner before going to bed.
Swap old air conditioner
Investing in a new energy efficient air conditioner can benefit you in several ways. So, if you have an old, inefficient air conditioner system at home, it’s time to look for an upgrade.
Even the most efficient air conditioning units can wear out after 10 –12 years of operation. So, if your AC unit bothers you with frequent repairs and failures, you might have to consider replacement. Sometimes the best way to maximize your air conditioner’s efficiency is to purchase a new unit.
Use landscape wisely
Planting trees around your house will naturally bring down the temperature which leads to increased efficiency of your air conditioning system.
Moreover, an air conditioner requires an adequate amount of airflow to perform at its peak efficiency, so avoid growing plants and shrubs too close to your outdoor unit. Improper outdoor planning will increase the heat around your house, reducing cooling effectiveness especially on hot summer days.
Cut down appliance use
Make sure that your home appliances are not affecting the airflow inside your house. For example, when the oven is in use, your AC unit uses more energy to lower the additional heat it radiates.
If possible consider using heat generating home appliances like a dishwasher or dryer at night when the air outside is cold. You can also cut back on the usage of these appliances on hot days to prevent your home from heating up further.
Bottom line
It’s hard for most people to live comfortably without an air conditioner during hot summer days. Therefore, careful repairs and proper maintenance will ensure that your air conditioning unit won’t quit in times of need. On the other hand, to get the most out of your air conditioner, you can try the above tips to tackle the most common issues.
If you’ve any further tips to add, let us know in the comments below!
