Try These 6 Simple Steps to Increase the Performance of Your Air Conditioner While Avoiding Expensive Repair Bills
We understand that running your HVAC system can get very expensive, especially if you have a lot of repair bills. It’s important to understand that sometimes those costs are just as much your responsibility as it is the HVAC system. The following are six simple steps to increase the performance of your air conditioner while minimizing the cost of running your HVAC system.
Stay Current On Maintenance
The manufacturer of your system may not only suggest that your unit have annual maintenance, but it may even be a requirement of your warranty. Don’t get caught in a situation where you needed repairs but your warranty won’t cover them because you weren’t properly maintaining your HVAC system. Besides, there are other reasons you should get an annual check. For instance, it will make sure that the air in your house stays pure and keep your utility bills low.
Use A Secondary Cooling Method
One way to ease up on repairs is to give your AC unit a ton of breaks such as adopting a secondary cooling method. For example, on a day when it’s hot but not oppressively so, you may wish just to turn on an oscillating fan or open the windows. Not only will they keep the air circulated in your home, but they also keep your electric bill down and help you extend the life of your AC unit.
Go With Insulation
Always make sure that your home has good insulation and that you seal all air gaps. Want a great way to kill your HVAC unit and to jack up your bills? Let the cool air from the air conditioner escape outside! Not only will this raise your electric bill, but it will make your unit cycle more frequently, leading to more repairs down the line. Always go with good insulation on the outside walls and seal up every gap around your windows and doors.
Get The Right Size AC
Make sure that you buy an appropriate size air conditioner for your home. Yes, it is possible to buy one that is too big. If your air-conditioner is too big, you will notice that you have more warm air in your house because the unit is cycling too quickly and can’t process the air properly. If an air conditioner is too small, then it will always be running, which means an expensive energy bill.
Check Your Windows
Don’t be shy to buy some blinds or shades for your windows. If you let the sunlight beam into your room in the afternoon, your AC may turn on even if nobody is home. Combine the efforts of a good window shade with a programmable thermostat to help prevent AC repairs and keep your utility bills down.
Shade The Unit Outside
One last good idea is to shade your AC condensing unit outside. Either install it in natural shade or build a protective covering over it. Make sure that the unit has enough room to breathe, but by shading it you will protect it from stress.