Here’s How to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Efficiency

It’s hard to imagine how your stay in the house would feel like without a working air conditioner, especially during the summer and winter seasons. Well, this system is tasked sorely with heating and cooling of the house. More often than not, air conditioners are notorious for draining your wallet.  That’s why it’s a good idea to learn how to extend the life of your air conditioners. Not long ago, a report by the Department of Energy stated that the heating and cooling bills could make up over half of your utility bills. Luckily, there are tricks, as listed below, that you can borrow to help boost the system’s efficiency while reducing the monthly bills.

Schedule a Regular Maintenance

More often than not, homeowners tend to forget the existence of air conditioners. It’s until the conditioners develop a problem that they start running here and there asking for help. Don’t be this kind of a guy as these last-minute runs can cost you more in terms of repair bills. It would help if you scheduled regular maintenance service.

Today, there are many HVAC professionals out there looking forward to assisting with the regular maintenance. All that is needed of you is to schedule an appointment. Professional contractors don’t only offer support, but they can provide you with a guide to air conditioner repairs if they are unable to come to your rescue. The regular checkups ensure that the AC’s filters are always left clean. Besides, these regular appointments save you from the misery that may arise when your system breaks down when the winter season, for example, is around the corner. Certified contractors are experienced with all kinds of systems, and that means that they can quickly point out a problem within your system before it becomes a real mess.

Keep the Curtains Closed

It’s every homeowner’s wish to have a well-lit home. Windows help much when it comes to adding a natural touch of light. But, did you know that while you are trying to reduce the lighting cost during the day, by opening windows, you may increase the price of cooling the same house? Most likely, you didn’t see that coming, and you may be asking how the two seem to crush. The truth is that when you keep the windows open during the day, the sun’s direct rays enter your home, keeping it warm. In return, your AC is forced to work extra to push the excess heat away. So, how can you go about with this dilemma? The best option is to keep the curtains shut during the day, or when no one is around. You can as well open the curtains or blinds in the evening. This trick helps ensure that the excess heat disappears through the window.

Keep the Conditioner Under the Shade

What’s the best place to position your air conditioner? This is one of the common questions that new homeowners are always asking. According to HVAC professionals, the ideal location for your AC is usually on the north side of your home. Why the north side, you may ask? Well, the idea here is to keep the system off the sun. Unfortunately, placing the AC in that location isn’t always achievable. You can instead have the air conditioner covered using a different alternative. Planting trees or shrubs around the system can assist much when it comes to achieving the desired shading, as well as the proper functionality. One good thing about planting bushes and trees around the system is that you kill two birds with one stone. You improve the system’s efficiency while creating a yard at the same time. However, you must be careful with the planting not to block the AC’s accessibility, which is necessary when it comes to regular maintenance and repairs.

Avoid the Thermostat at all Cost

Often, people have the habit of leaving the AC at 78 degrees F. Some even go to the extent of setting higher temperatures when there is no one at home. If this is your habit, you have got to ensure that no one drops the temperature below 78, thinking that it will cool down the house faster. It would be best if you had in mind that the AC cools at the same rate regardless of the setting.

Therefore, adjusting the temperatures is just a waste of time and energy. To avoid these inconveniences, it would help if you invested in a programmable thermostat. This kind of thermostat can be programmed to increase the temperature when you are out of the house and drop back to comfortable temperatures, moments before you return home.

Upgrade your HVAC Model

Almost every type of machinery has a lifespan, and your HVAC system is on the list. With time, your efficiency reduces because of things such as regular repairs. Besides, old school AC systems lack the necessary features, which mean an increase in productivity. You can, therefore, opt to swap your outdated HVAC model for a modern one.

Today, you can easily find an energy-efficient model in hardware near you. Although they tend to be expensive, the federal tax credits help minimize the cost. Besides, there are different models, and that means that you can easily find one that matches your budget. If you go with an appropriately sized unit, the chances are that you will increase the conditioner’s efficiency while reducing the monthly energy expenses.

Conclusion

Increasing your AC’s performance and efficiency is vital. It helps reduce the cost of running the system to cool and heat your home. Don’t fret because with all the highlighted tips above can help you to boost your system’s efficiency.