When the mercury rises day after day, so does the demand on your air conditioner, which may lead to your air conditioner running non-stop. That’s a lot of demand on your system, it can do a number on your cooling bills, and possibly wear it down to the point of needing an AC repair. If you’d like to give your air conditioner a bit of a break, these simple steps can help you do it.
Close the Curtains
Wide-open windows allow you to see the outside world, but they can also warm up your home. When the sun pours into your rooms, it gets toastier inside. Your air conditioner then has to work harder to keep the house at your preferred temperature.
Keeping your window shades closed during the day can help you save on energy costs. Blinds or heavy curtains can be effective at blocking the sun’s warming rays. In particular, keep the windows covered on the east side of your house in the morning. During the afternoons, do the same on the west side.
Add Insulation to Your House
You probably know not to open the windows when your air conditioner is running. Unfortunately, having a poorly insulated house can have much the same effect. The air that you’re spending good money to cool may quickly find its way outdoors.
Putting in a new layer of insulation could help keep that cool air where it belongs. Sealing gaps in doors and windows and filling cracks could help as well.
Run a Fan
To increase the cooling effects of your AC, run fans in your rooms. The fans will help move the cool air where you want it to go.
Position floor or box fans near your air vents. They will help distribute the chilled air throughout your room.
Set your ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise during the summer. That way, they’ll move cool air in a downward direction. Your fan should have a switch that allows you to adjust the direction of its spin.
Time Your Household Activities
There are many household chores that add warmth to your home. For example, the clothes dryer and the dishwasher both produce heat. Try to avoid running those appliances during the hottest part of the day. Instead, save such chores for first thing in the morning or later in the evening.
Cooking can certainly heat up your kitchen. On sweltering days, try not to use the stove or the oven. Instead, choose cold meals, grill in the backyard or prepare dishes in your slow cooker. It may take some creativity, but your air conditioner will appreciate the effort.
Change the Filter
When the filter is dirty, your air conditioner has to work harder than normal to push air through the system. That reduces its efficiency. Fortunately, this is an easy fix on most models. You just have to take out the old filter and slide a new one in its place. Some units need a monthly filter change, but you’ll want to consult your owner’s manual for specifics on your model.
In addition to regular filter changes, it’s also smart to have an annual AC tune-up. Your maintenance technician will clean your system from top to bottom. This can improve the efficiency of your air conditioner and help it stay in good shape throughout the season.
Program Your Thermostat
You probably have a temperature that you prefer to keep your home at. Even still, you don’t have to maintain that temperature 24/7. When you’re sleeping or away, you can raise the thermostat by a few degrees.
The Department of Energy advises turning up the temp by 4 degrees during the overnight hours. Bring it up 7 degrees when you’re gone for the workday. If you leave on vacation, consider setting the thermostat 10 degrees higher than normal.
If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, consider installing a smart variety. You can establish an automatic cooling schedule and control the settings from anywhere through a companion phone app.
Queen City Heating & Cooling in Nixa offers heating and cooling services throughout the year. Our team handles installations, repairs and maintenance. We work on water heaters and care for indoor air quality as well. We’re a Rheem Pro Partner and can service all makes and models. Thanks to our commitment to our customers, we have received the Elite Service title from HomeAdvisor. We would be honored to count you as one of our satisfied customers.
Go online or call today to schedule your appointment with Queen City Heating & Cooling.
