As the world is facing blazing temperatures in summer, many homeowners are relying on their air conditioning units to keep their homes cool and fresh during the warmer months of the year.
Besides keeping the home at a comfortable cooling temperature, an air conditioner also provides people with other benefits including reduced humidity levels, better air quality, and lower risks of breathing-related issues.
However, in order for the AC to work at its full force, there are a few things every homeowner needs to do to maximize their unit’s efficiency and lifespan.
Whether you have a split system, multi-split, or ducted air conditioning system, here are four expert tips to follow to make your AC unit work better.
Maintain your air conditioner
The importance of keeping your unit well maintained should never be overlooked. Regular cleaning and maintenance will help extend the life of your air conditioner and save you lots of money for unexpected repairs or costly early replacements. It will also improve its energy efficiency and comfort levels as well as benefit its overall unit function and your health.
You can either do the maintenance yourself or call up a local professional to do the job for you. For example, if you live in Manitoba’s capital city Winnipeg, look for reliable air conditioner installation Winnipeg services to find experts who will properly maintain your AC or install a new one, if necessary.
Change the AC filters regularly
Your AC filters are one of the most important parts of the unit. Their main purpose is to filter the air by blocking dust, pollen, or other debris from accumulating on your unit’s internal components.
That’s why they need to be cleaned and changed regularly so they can maintain their performance and protect your air conditioner from possible damage. Otherwise, your unit will use more energy and ultimately cost you a lot more.
Typically, you should change the AC filters every month or two. But if you use the unit constantly, have pets at home, or the unit is often exposed to dust, you need to change the filters more frequently.
Check the AC’s evaporator coil
Your AC’s evaporator coil is another important part of your air conditioner. Its main function is to absorb the heat from the air inside your home. It is located on the inside of your air handler or it is attached to your furnace.
Either way, keeping your evaporator coil clean and well-maintained is important for the efficacy of your unit. Dirty coils can instantly increase the energy use of your AC unit, which will certainly result in higher energy bills of up to 30%.
Other issues that can arise from poor maintenance include reduced heat transfer, frozen coils, and overheating compression.
Be smart about heating and cooling
When it comes to heating or cooling your home with your AC, there are a few things you need to remember.
Firstly, whether you need to cool or warm your home, you should only cool or heat the rooms you need because that is the best way to improve your AC’s efficiency. Close doors between the rooms so you can contain the cool or hot air where necessary.
Secondly, remember to set the thermostat to a comfortable and suitable temperature. Otherwise, if you set it higher or lower than what is recommended, it can instantly affect your power bills.
Use your AC settings
Understanding and properly using the functions of your air conditioner can also help increase its efficiency. Most air conditioners have an economy mode that can maintain a moderate temperature, while others have human sensors that automatically switch the system to energy-saving mode if there is no movement in the room.
Also, there are programmable thermostats and timing devices you can use to cut down on the time a unit is running. For example, you can have your unit switched on before it gets too hot outside. This will help maximize its efficiency as it will be working harder to cool your home during the hottest parts of the day.
Final thoughts
No matter what type of air conditioner unit you have, there are several things you need to remember to improve its efficiency. From performing regular maintenance and cleaning the AC filters to being smart about heating and cooling. It is important that you follow this expert advice so you can extend your unit’s lifespan and protect yourself from costly repairs and replacements.