Over time as air conditioners take on more and more wear and tear, they struggle to perform as they once did. In short, they incur efficiency issues. And as a result, they use much more energy than they really need to.
Fortunately, however, there are things you can do to improve AC efficiency. Wondering what they are? We’re going to review them in detail below!
Swap Out Your HVAC Air Filter
If there’s one thing that you’re going to do to improve the efficiency of your air conditioner, it should be to swap out your HVAC air filter. Not only is this cheap and simple to do, but it’s highly effective as well.
See, air conditioners take in a great deal of dust and debris. But as long as the AC’s air filter is relatively clean, it will keep this dust and debris to a minimum.
The problems begin after the filter has become inundated with debris. Once this happens, the debris begins to enter the AC system itself, causing it to run sluggishly and wasting substantial amounts of energy.
Now, you might be wondering: how often should you swap out your AC air filter? Generally speaking, you should make a change every 3 months. However, if you have pets in your home (such as cats and/or dogs), you should make a change every month or two.
Maintain the Condenser Area
A good deal of an air conditioner’s magic happens around its condenser. The condenser takes air from outside and condenses it, thus facilitating the air conditioning process.
Unfortunately, if the area surrounding the condenser is untidy, the condenser can have trouble performing its job adequately. As such, it’s wise to keep the condenser area clean and clear at all times. Not only should you make sure that the condenser is cleared of any sticks or leaves, but you should also make sure to trim hedges and trees that are in close proximity to the condenser.
Generally speaking, it’s wise to keep 5 feet of clearance around the condenser’s entire radius. This enables it to perform its job to the best of its ability, resulting in max AC efficiency.
Make Sure to Close Your Windows and Doors
There’s no quicker way to reduce air conditioner efficiency than to leave doors and windows open while the air conditioner is running. Doing so is like pouring money directly out of the house.
As such, every time you turn on your AC, you need to make sure to close your windows and doors entirely. Even a slightly cracked window or door can have a negative influence.
Give your entire house a check and then turn on your AC. Also, keep an eye out for gaps in doors and windows. Over time, the seals on windows and doors deteriorate, creating gaps, and allowing air to escape through them with ease.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
In truth, the vast majority of air conditioners waste substantial amounts of energy. Why? Because they’re running when they don’t need to be running and can’t easily be adjusted to accommodate different temperatures.
This is where a programmable thermostat can be a huge help. Programmable thermostats allow you to set automatic turn-on and turn-off times. This way, the AC will only be running during the portions of the day in which it’s truly needed.
Programmable thermostats are also capable of being adjusted from remote locations. As such, if you end up having to spend substantial amounts of time away from home, you can just turn the AC off completely and save gobs of energy.
Manual thermostats do not offer these capabilities. As such, they’re much less efficient overall.
Vacuum Your Vents
Another way to improve AC efficiency is to vacuum your vents regularly. In doing so, you reduce airflow blockage, allowing your AC to operate in as unimpaired a manner as possible.
Note, though, that vacuuming your vents is only a short-term fix. Over time, as more and more dust and debris make their way into your duct system, the need to clean your ducts will increase. So, every 5 years or so, you’re advised to remove your ducts and completely clear them of any residue.
This isn’t the simplest of tasks. As such, it might be a good idea to put it in the hands of a professional (like these ones who provide AC maintenance in Riverside, CA).
Schedule Regular AC Tune-ups
If you really want to get the most out of your air conditioner, you need to schedule regular tune-ups. Tune-ups are important for two reasons: 1. they ensure that the little-seen mechanisms of your air conditioner are receiving regular cleanings, and 2. they enable you to catch small problems before they turn into big problems.
The fact of the matter is that AC professionals are more adept at AC maintenance than are non-professionals. You can do a reasonably good job of caring for your AC but you will likely struggle to provide it with the in-depth maintenance that it needs.
Look at tune-ups like doctor’s check-ups. Sure, you can take care of your body the majority of the time on your own. However, from time to time, it’s wise to have it checked out by an experienced professional like the ones at ARS – Rescue Rooter, as he or she can catch things that you aren’t able to.
Note, many AC companies provide tune-up agreements in which they’ll supply regular tune-ups at a reduced cost. For best value, you’re advised to seek out such a company.
Improve AC Efficiency With These Tips
If your goal is to improve AC efficiency, the tips reviewed above will serve you well. Put them to good use and you’ll notice the results within the coming months.
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