To combat the ever-rising summer temperatures, you have to get the best out of your air conditioner and you will probably see the result in your monthly energy bills. In fact, for most homes in the United States, air conditioning accounts for the biggest percentage of their overall energy consumption.
5 Mistakes to Avoid with Your Air Conditioning
According to Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA), half of your electricity bill goes to air conditioning. However, it is possible that you are making some major mistakes with your home’s air conditioning system which affects its effectiveness and efficiency.
HVAC experts say that it’s not just the skyrocketing energy bill that you should be afraid of; you also need to fear the microorganisms that act as toxins when inhaled. This can trigger a host of other problems such as allergies and asthma. Here are the top five AC unit mistakes to avoid.
1. Cooling Empty Rooms
How many rooms in your house do you use frequently and how many are being cooled? Are you cooling all the rooms including those that you don't use? It is always good to avoid cooling the rooms that you don't frequently use such as the guest rooms. You may be wasting a lot of energy if your AC vents are open in every room of your house. Walk around your home and make sure that you close all AC vents that open into unoccupied rooms. You should also close all the closet doors to ensure that these spaces are not swallowing your cold air.
2. Forgoing Curtains and Blinds
The number one enemy of your air conditioner is sun rays. Large windows, especially those that face south tend to soak up the excessive sun and heat if they are not adequately shaded. By sliding curtains and closing blinds to block the sun rays, you will also end up shielding your indoor spaces from the sun’s heat. Always keep your windows covered during the day to avoid overworking your AC unit.
3. Not Having a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can save you a lot of money on your energy bills since it automatically raises or lowers the temperature when you are away from home. A non-programmable thermostat is ineffective since you may forget to adjust the temperature before you leave for work. The newer smartphone-controlled thermostats make programming and monitoring even simpler.
4. Using Old Air Filters
The most critical element of your AC unit is the air filters. Dirty air filters can lead to incredibly poor air flow in your home. Dirty air filters can also hike your energy bills by as much as 15 percent and can also shorten the lifespan of your system. Ideally, you should change the air filters on your system at least once every three months or even as often as once every month depending on how frequent you use your system. Save yourself some money by replacing your air filters. The good news is these filters are generally affordable. If you have a ductless system, wipe your filters with a rag.
5. Not Servicing Your System
Your air conditioner needs to be serviced at least once every year. Consider servicing your system in spring or just before the start of summer so that it functions optimally. An annual inspection can identify all issues that need to be addressed to make sure that the unit doesn't break down when you need it most. If you haven’t had your air conditioner serviced, you should contact an AC expert now.