8 Simple Ways to Improve Your Air Conditioner Efficiency

Is your ac working at peak capacity? Learn some straightforward ways to improve your air conditioner efficiency in this guide.

Majority of the homes in the U.S have air conditioners that run on 6% of electricity produced in the country at an annual cost of around $ 29 billion to homeowners.

High amounts of energy for many American homes are consumed when using central air conditioning. When the temperatures during summer are on the high, you need to stay cool effectively as well as being sure you keep things affordable.

As a homeowner, you need to be proactive so as to save on money and energy consumption. In the long run, the air conditioner efficiency will be determined by how you maintain it to improve its performance and increase comfort.

Ensure you take advantage to maintain the AC when it’s off-season to run a maintenance check. When not in use, you can perform the necessary checks while keeping your utility bill for electricity under control for future purposes.

Is your ac working at peak capacity? Learn some straightforward ways to improve your air conditioner efficiency in this guide.

1. Vacuum the Vents

To boost the ac efficiency, unblock the vents. If the ac is located on the ceiling or on the ground, the vents are likely filled with dirt, debris or pet hair. Ensure you remove all the dirt from the indoor air supply vents. This will ensure airflow throughout the system.

Make the vents have clear passage without so much blockage from furniture, toys or blinds. If need be, rearrange your home or living room to allow steady airflow from the AC through the vents. Ensure you keep the vents open as closing then will increase the amount of pressure in your system and it may break down or cause air leaks.

2. Clean the Filters

One reason why the air conditioner breaks down is because of dusty air filters. These may cost you a lot more during hot seasons. The dusty air filters usually lower the airflow and the cooling system which makes the blower fun work extra hard.

You should typically replace the filters every three months but ensure you do a monthly check up to see if they are in good condition.

3. Adjust Thermostat

Adjusting your temperature levels during summer and winter will help you save both energy and money. You can automatically adjust temperatures with a programmable thermostat. This can be programmed to increase the temperatures while you are away from home and cool the house right before you return.

Avoid pacing lamps, and other heat emitting appliances next to the thermostat as the heat radiated will keep the AC running longer than intended. Ensure you read the manual of the automatic thermostat so as to know how to work out any issue you may experience when setting it.

4. Cover the Windows

When you close the blinds or draw the curtains, you will help reduce the amount of heat entering your home. Direct sunlight raises your room temperatures. In simple terms, closing the curtains reduces the amount of heat that gets into the home. This, in turn, reduces the temperatures to comfortable levels.

This will keep the air conditioner from working overtime. As you leave for work in the morning you can close the curtains and blinds so as to keep the house cool. This will help lower your air conditioning costs as you use less energy.

5. Clean Your AC Condenser

To improve your air conditioners performance, ensure you clean the condenser unit at least twice per year. This is because, over time of usage, there may be dirt, debris and other junk stuff that may get stuck around the condenser. The first step to cleaning it is to switch off the power to your unit.

To have your condenser clean, engage professionals who will use safe solutions and maintain the condenser by straightening its fins.

6. Improve Your Air Conditioner Efficiency by Checking Your Ductwork

In case your home has numerous air leaks, the cold air may pass through the windows or small holes around the door. Ensure your ductwork is insulated and sealed properly. With duct leakage, energy can be drained from a perfectly working AC and spread outside the cooled sections such as garages, or attics.

This can make the AC run for longer periods of time without efficiently cooling the home as required and increases the cost of the bill.

7. Reduce Indoor Heat

The cooler your house is, the lesser your AC will have to work. To make the house more comfortable, reduce the use of appliances that emit much heat. These could be stoves, dishwashers, lighting, and dryers among others. Most of these appliances are a source of waste heat that makes you home warmer.

You also need to ensure that there isn’t much humidity in the house. With inadequate humidity control during the humid climate, moisture can cause more problems. Ensure that your AC unit can humidify while it cools the home. In case it’s not in-built you can get a stand-alone humidifier.

8. Ceiling Fans Promote Airflow

Using a ceiling fan can make the room feel cooler by 10 degrees and consumes less energy compared to the central air conditioner. The ceiling fan helps you save money and energy while keeping the house comfortable in high thermostat settings.

Get a ceiling fan with a motor that spins either direction. You can set it to rotate in counterclockwise motion so as to create a breeze during summer and in winter it does the opposite. This will keep your home comfortable in all seasons.

Efficiency Will Get You Comfort

There’re so many things you can do to keep your air conditioner running more efficiently. You may need to replace your AC if it breaks down or is over 10 years of age. Replacing means that you get a better model with better features that help reduce the amount of energy the AC consumes.

Ensure that the central air conditioning unit is rated through the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The window units need to be rated through the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). The higher the rating the higher your air conditioner efficiency.

If the air conditioner isn’t running properly, make sure it gets serviced by a professional who is highly skilled and trained.

You can visit our other blog posts for more informative articles.