Out of all your appliances, your air conditioner uses up a significant amount of energy in your home. If your AC malfunctions or loses its efficiency over time, you might have to deal with an increase in repairs, high energy bills, and overall discomfort. To prevent any of these scenarios from happening, here are some ways you can help your AC efficiency, brought to you by the pros at American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical!
- Change Your Air Filter
Changing your AC’s air filter is one of the easiest and most effective ways you can improve your air conditioner’s efficiency. It takes only a few minutes, but it can make a world of a difference. Changing your air filter can improve your indoor air quality, reduce your AC’s energy consumption by up to 15% and prevent worse issues and malfunctions. Ideally, you should change your air filter once or twice a month. - Clean Your Vents
Your vents should be clean as the air you breathe passes through them and collects any dust, dander, or pollen that is on them. Every month take the time to clean your vents. You can use the brush attachment of your vacuum to remove any dust on the vent grille in addition to vacuuming inside the vent. If you want a more thorough cleaning, use a damp cloth to wipe off any dust left behind. Make sure you also unblock your vents and registers so the airflow throughout your home is consistent. - Seal Up Your Home
Air leaks can reduce your air conditioner’s performance as well as worsen your indoor air quality. To prevent this from happening, make sure you deal with any air leaks in your home. Make sure you check your doors and windows as leaks are common here. Inspect the weatherstripping in these areas—if you find that it is worn out, you can purchase a replacement at your nearest home improvement store. - Try This Thermostat Technique
If you want to use your air conditioner more energy efficiently try out something new. According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs if you turn your thermostat 7-10 degrees higher (or lower in the winter) than its usual setting for 8 hours a day. This might seem difficult to carry out, but if you have a programmable thermostat you can easily schedule temperature changes throughout the day or week. Try out this technique for a month or so and see if you notice a difference. - Clean Your Outdoor Condenser
Make sure the vegetation around your outdoor unit isn’t crowding it or getting too close to it. Trim it a little bit if you can and ensure a 2 ft clearance around your unit. You can also clean its exterior using coil cleaner and water.
If you want to learn more about the different ways you can help your AC efficiency, get in touch with the pros at American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical today! Call us at (407) 603-4410 or schedule a service online!
