No, you don’t have to avoid using your air conditioner in order to lower the cost!
But summer is right around the corner, and when it hits you’re going to be grateful for an efficiently operating air conditioner! Now is a great time to start thinking about how you can achieve this efficiency during the season you need your air conditioner the most.
When you’re using your air conditioner efficiently, you don’t have to worry as much about costly utility bills. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to in fact use your cooling system more efficiently, and therefore lower the cost of AC use. Read on for some great tips!
Utilize Your Ceiling Fans
If you have ceiling fans in your home, use them! Your ceiling fans help better circulate the air coming from your AC vents throughout the home, taking some of the burden off of the AC system itself. This means you can turn the thermostat up a couple of degrees because you’ll feel cooler! As a result, you’ll be able to cut down a bit on cooling costs.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Speaking of thermostats, how old is yours? If you don’t yet have a programmable thermostat, you’re missing out. This is a great way to boost your air conditioner’s efficiency! A programmable thermostat creates a cooling program based around your personal schedule, so you never have to worry about setting the right temperature, which certainly matters when it comes to efficiency!
Additionally, by raising the temperature just by a few degrees when you aren’t home or while you’re sleeping, you can cut down drastically on your utility bills.
Change the Air Filter!
Homeowners often assume that the air filter that comes standard with their HVAC system is in place to protect their indoor air quality. While this air filter helps a bit with indoor air quality, this is not its purpose. Rather, the air filter is in place to protect the interior components of the HVAC system itself from dust, dirt, and other debris.
We recommend that you change your air filter every 1-3 months during periods of system use. If you’re unsure how to do so, we are happy to help.
Ensure Your Ductwork Is in Good Shape
Did you know that you could be losing up to 30% of your conditioned air through breached ductwork? Leaks and tears in the ducts can drastically lower your system’s energy efficiency, causing your bills to skyrocket. Be sure to have a professional HVAC technician inspect your ventilation system to make sure your ducts are properly sealed and connected.
Schedule Routine Maintenance
Of course, the best way to ensure that your air conditioner works as efficiently as possible for as long as possible is by scheduling routine maintenance for the system.
During your maintenance session, our technicians will thoroughly inspect the system to locate and repair minor problems before they become much bigger. In addition, we’ll make any adjustments when necessary, to boost efficiency and performance, in order to keep you and your family cool and comfy all summer long!
Contact our team today for expert air conditioning services. Comfort First Heating and Cooling, Inc., where we put your comfort first.