Simple Ways to Make AC Units More Efficient

Air conditioners make summer more enjoyable for many people. The break from the heat outside helps a home to feel like the refuge it is meant to be. An annual HVAC service visit helps to prevent breakdowns and inefficiencies, but you can do more to make your AC unit function better and potentially save energy.

A professional duct cleaning once a year will remove the debris deep within the ducts, but homeowners can help to reduce the accumulation that builds up over time. The air vents inside the home quickly fill with dust, pet hair, and cobwebs. Vacuum these vents about once a week to keep them free of debris and working properly.

A bonus is that regularly removing debris from the vents also helps people to breathe easier. Otherwise, allergens like pollen and pet dander that settle into the vents will circulate through the air every time the system turns on. Homeowners that sneeze a lot when their HVAC system runs should consider vacuuming their vents more to see if their allergies improve.

Do not block air vents with furniture or close them off because a room is not in use. All the vents must circulate air for the system to work effectively. The system sends the same amount of air even when vents are closed off, and this can eventually lead to leaks in the ductwork.

Blocked vents can also prevent the air in the room from being as cool as desired, and this can cause people to unnecessarily adjust the thermostat. The blockage will still stop the cool air from entering the target room, while the new thermostat setting may make the rest of the home too cool. Shorter drapes or a different furniture layout may solve the problem of varying temperatures from room to room.

Inspect the thermostat if the AC does not keep the home at the desired temperature. The problem may not be with the thermostat itself, but with the items around it or where it is mounted. Sunlight shining through a window or the heat from the bulbs of nearby lamps can reach the thermostat and make the air temperature in the home seem warmer than it is.

The result of this type of situation is that the AC runs too often and cools the house too much. Correction of the thermostat helps, but only until the sunlight shifts or the lamp turns off. At that point, the home will warm up too much because the thermostat was adjusted for the artificial heat reading.

A few small changes will reduce a lot of the heat inside the home. The extra steps can save energy and put less stress on an HVAC system that struggles to keep up with the temperature.

To avoid excess heat in the house, run dishwashers and take hot showers in the evening or early mornings when it is cooler outside. Swap the dryer for a clothesline and grill outside rather than use the stove or oven. Install insulated drapes on all windows and close out the sun during the hottest part of the day. Repair any leaks around doors and windows, and make certain window locks stay engaged because this ensures a tighter seal.

You should also buy a few fans because skin cools down more easily in a breeze. Ceiling fans, floor-mount oscillating fans, and table fans can help to drop the air temperature in the home a few degrees. Shut off the AC during the day when no one is home and leave only the fans running so the cool air continues to circulate through the home.

You may need an upgrade if an annual service check and tips like these do not keep the air cool or the AC still seems to run constantly to keep up with the heat. At C.J. Services, Inc., we can inspect an HVAC system to determine if a repair or replacement is what you need to keep your home comfortable. Contact us to schedule an inspection.