That said, one of the most common questions we get from homeowners about air conditioner is how to use their most efficiently in order to lower their cooling costs. Considering that being warm inside our homes is uncomfortable, it’s only natural that you may wonder this as well.
The good news is, there are a number of AC services to help, including professional routine maintenance to help prevent repair needs and lengthen system lifespan. There are also HVAC and indoor air quality products than can help boost efficiency too. But you don’t necessarily have to invest in or buy anything to boost your AC efficiency! Read on as we explain.
Raise the Temp on Your Thermostat
We get it, this sounds like counterproductive advice, but hang with us a moment. We don’t expect you to make your home any warmer than it should be. But, you may be turning your thermostat settings down much lower than you actually need to in order to stay comfortable.
Homeowners sometimes leave their thermostats down as low as 72°F when actually, most individuals are perfectly comfortable at around 78°F throughout the majority of the day. Additionally, you can save energy and money by raising the temperature when you’re not home and while you’re sleeping. There’s no reason to waste unnecessary energy by cooling a home you aren’t using! Nor should you lower temperatures far more than you actually need when you are home.
Use Your Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can’t lower the temperature of the rooms they’re in. They can, however, make you feel cooler when you’re in the same room as them. This is because they help sweat evaporate from your body, which is our natural way of cooling off. On a mild day, a ceiling fan alone may be plenty enough to keep you cool and keep your bills lower—though keep in mind ceiling fans have no purpose if nobody is in the room to appreciate the breeze.
When you’re using your air conditioner and you’re at home, though, ceiling fans help push cool air down and keep warm air rising. Therefore, pairing your ceiling fans with your central AC system enables you to run that AC at a higher temperature, thus lowering your monthly energy costs.
Change Your Air Filter As Needed
The air filter that comes with your air conditioner upon installation gets clogged up with dust, allergens, and other debris over the course of the year, which makes it harder for the air to circulate through your home. This means it’s harder for your cooling system to actually cool you off, and your system can start experiencing problems as a result.
Be sure to change your air filter every 1-3 months (this depends on what type of air filter you have and the level of contaminants in your home).
Keep the AC Clean
Cleaning is part of professional maintenance, which you should schedule for your air conditioner once a year. But you can also do your part—before you turn on the system for the first time this summer, make sure the vents and outdoor unit are unobstructed and clean to allow for proper airflow—and subsequently efficient operation.
For expert air conditioning services, contact Sound Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. today! We take your comfort as serious as you do.