Helping Your Air Conditioner Work Efficiently
When summer comes around, it's time to start thinking about your air conditioner. You want it to work as efficiently as possible so that you and your family stay cool throughout the hot weather and you also want to keep your cooling bills under control. Here are some key tips that will help achieve these objectives.
Shade your AC
One great idea for keeping your air conditioner working efficiently to provide shade for your outdoor unit, which is known as the condenser. The condenser pulls air from the surrounding area into the unit and cools it. The hotter the air near the condenser, the harder the condenser has to work to cool it. By shading the space near the unit, you cool the air before it gets into the condenser, which means that the unit does not have to work as hard. When the condenser does not have to work as hard, it uses less energy, which results in lower energy costs.
Using vegetation or an awning to shade your outdoor unit is a great way to make your air conditioner more efficient, but do not allow any vegetation too close to the unit, as this could restrict the airflow around it or allow leaves or other debris to create clogs.
Temperature
Setting an appropriate temperature on your air conditioner's thermostat is an essential part of keeping your energy bills under control. No perfect temperature exists, so aim to set the thermostat at a temperature that keeps your family comfortable but does not waste energy. A crucial point to keep in mind is that for each degree you raise the temperature, you will save about 3 to 5 percent on your energy costs.
Fans
Another great way to help your air conditioner use less energy is to use ceiling fans in your home. When you are in a room with an operating ceiling fan, you will be comfortable at a higher temperature than you would otherwise. Using ceiling fans allow you to set your thermostat to a higher temperature, which as we have seen, lowers your energy costs.
These tips should help keep your family comfortable through the summer as long as your air conditioner is working well and does not need replacement. If you have an older unit that is not able to cool your home at a reasonable cost, contact an air conditioners contractor or distributor in your city.
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