Maintaining a cool and comfortable home during summer can take some extra work. To assist, NBC BETTER interviewed experts about their top AC home tips.
Clean up around your outdoor unit, especially the area containing air filters. A dirty air filter reduces efficiency. Keep bushes, tall grass, and other items away from it to maintain optimal performance.
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Check and Change the Air Filter
Air filters capture dust and other forms of debris that would otherwise clog your HVAC system, making your AC work harder to deliver cooled air throughout your home, costing more money in energy consumption and increasing running costs.
A dirty filter requires iterations costs that add to its high operating cost per year and adds stress on other components in your system as it needs to work harder for cooling air distribution throughout your house.
Experts advise replacing your filter at least every 90 days, although changing it every month for maximum efficiency would be ideal. Disposable filters typically cost about one dollar each while permanent fiberglass frames last much longer while helping reduce energy bills by relieving strain on your system.
If there are construction sites nearby, make sure to regularly inspect your air filter as dust from construction can easily find its way into your ventilation system and strain your AC.
Make sure your air conditioner is appropriately sized for your home. An AC that is too small will be less effective and could even end up damaging itself, so use a room calculator to figure out the appropriate AC size for each bedroom and living space in the house.
Close windows during the day and install weather stripping to seal in cool air and keep hot air at bay, saving on utility costs while making your AC run more efficiently. This will lower utility expenses.
Check that the evaporator coils are clear of debris. In general, the air supply side of these coils can be reached through an accessible vent in the ceiling while outdoor condenser coils can be cleaned using a garden hose if power has been turned off in your system first.
Clean the fan blades on an indoor coil by using a soft-bristled brush and damp sponge, followed by rinsing with water and foaming coil cleaner to eliminate grime that impedes refrigerant flow.
Change the Filter Every Six Months
Filters that become dirty impede airflow and require your AC to work harder, increasing energy costs. Replacement frequency depends on where you live as well as whether pets shed hair or dander – in general, though it should be checked and changed every three to six months, depending on what kind of filter is in place.
Look for your filter in either your air handler cabinet, in its box-shaped filter compartment, or slot on top of your unit. Check its size and insertion of direction arrows before replacing them as instructed. If it’s disposable, look out for its expiration date on its packaging; usually, it should be changed out sooner than this date.
If you use a reusable filter, be sure to inspect and clean it as often as necessary to extend its lifespan and optimize system efficiency. Doing this will help increase its lifespan and efficiency.
Make sure your thermostat is in a cool and dry area away from windows to maximize the efficiency of your air conditioning unit and save electricity costs by not running the AC nonstop – otherwise, it will work overtime, raising electricity bills while making your house feel warmer!
Ideal, when away from the house, set the temperature setting a couple of degrees higher; at night when everyone is asleep lower it. This will save money on energy costs while still making your home comfortable for everyone – one of the most efficient energy-saving tips for ACs. To find your optimal settings you may have to experiment until finding one that works.
Clean the Condenser
While we often think about the freon inside the AC, like with the article here: https://www.cinchhomeservices.com/faq-library/-/faq/is-freon-covered-under-a-home-warranty, there is much more to know. Alicia suggests cleaning the air conditioner coils twice annually – once before and once after you turn on your AC. Like changing air filters, this task should be performed outside due to the risk of slipperiness or falling. Be mindful that power has been shut off before beginning this task – an air conditioning unit contains a highly charged 240V current that could shock or cause damage when handled.
An inefficient condenser can increase energy costs and cooling efficiency, increasing both of them simultaneously. You can take steps to prevent this by regularly clearing away leaves, twigs, and debris around the outside AC unit during fall and winter; trimming plants and shrubs away from blocking vents and fans; and trimming back shrubbery around it to keep vents and fans unblocked.
A large AC unit often rests on a concrete or composite pad to reduce vibration, keep level and raise it above potential water puddles – check that it doesn’t sink into the ground or crack as this may indicate potential issues with your AC system.
Maintaining clean coils helps your AC unit run more efficiently, and doing it with just a hose and a can of foaming cleaner is easy enough to do. First, shut off power to your air conditioner at its electric service panel; use a screwdriver to unbolt screws that cover the top and side AC units to expose the fan and coils; make sure there is plenty of ventilation while wearing safety glasses, face shield, chemical-resistant gloves, and a respirator mask. After applying foam cleaner directly on coils use a hose to rinse them clean afterwards!
Keep the Vents Clean
Many don’t include their air vents in their cleaning schedule, but they should. Dirty air ducts not only look unsightly but can lead to allergies and breathing issues in the home. Cleaning them regularly will stop dust from settling into and spreading throughout your home and will also make your AC run more efficiently.
Start by disconnecting power to the system, placing an old sheet beneath vents, and wearing eye and respiratory protection before beginning cleaning. Be sure to use a vacuum cleaner with a long hose, various attachments (brushes/screwdriver/brush), plus an anti-lint cloth as needed; an old broom and cloth will also come in handy!
Beginning by turning off the power and removing vent covers, use a brush to clear away dirt, grime, or debris from them using scrub brushes, then rinse them off thoroughly using clean water to avoid rust formation. After this has been completed allow them to dry before replacing them into their respective spaces.
If there’s a discolored ring surrounding an AC vent, it could be due to a water stain from condensation leaking in. Since mold growth and other issues could result from this staining process, any treatment must begin as quickly as possible.
Maintain a slight gap at each supply vent to promote airflow and facilitate circulation. Closing too many doors at once forces your central air unit to work harder to cool your house, possibly leading to short cycling or damage to evaporator coils.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Some homeowners neglect routine AC maintenance, yet those who take an active approach often reap rewards with longer-lasting and more energy-efficient systems. A system without regular service could lose its luster over time, with repairs and downtime more likely than ever occurring. You even check your vacuum cleaners so why not check your AC?
Homeowners can reduce air conditioning repair costs by keeping their outdoor coil clean. A dirty outdoor coil restricts refrigerant flow, which is essential to cooling performance. Therefore, replacing filters every six months and checking regularly for dirt accumulation on coils are both good strategies.
Insulation on coolant lines should also be monitored closely. Over time, their insulation may wear away, leading to an increase in temperature which will decrease system efficiency and therefore necessitate adding extra insulation to preserve efficiency. Adding more batting could help.
