A/C, or air conditioning, is essential for keeping a comfortable home in the summer. During the hottest months of the year, we rely on this utility to help us sleep better and work from home. However, running your A/C too frequently can raise your utility bill and have a negative impact on the environment.
So, how do we beat the heat while lowering pollution and utility bills? Fortunately, there are simple ways to keep the heat out and the air conditioning on this summer. We’ll review some preventive measures to ensure your central air conditioning system runs smoothly while saving you money in the long run.
10 Ways to Maintain A/C and Keep Heat Out
Here are the 10 ways to maintain A/C this summer and keep heat out of your home in that season.
1. Replace Air Filters
Changing your air filters on a regular basis is an easy way to ensure that your air conditioner is working properly. Clean air filters promote energy efficiency and save you money over time, resulting in healthier indoor air.
We recommend that you set a monthly reminder on your phone or calendar to check your air filters and have them cleaned or replaced if necessary.
2. Keep A/C Vents Open
Keeping your vents open and clear of obstructions, like changing your air filters, will allow your air to flow freely. When you close an air vent, the pressure in the air ducts rises, causing leaks in the system. Allow your central air to run as intended to get the most cost-effective results while avoiding future costly repairs.
3. Schedule Timely Maintenance
Contact a professional team to inspect and clean your A/C condenser at least twice a year to ensure it is operating at peak efficiency. A reputable company can come by right before summer to ensure everything is in working order for when the temperatures begin to rise. They can also replace your air filters, ensuring that they are clean and safe for your home.
4. Change Weather Seals
Another simple way to keep your A/C running is to replace worn or cracked weather seals on your doors and windows. By inspecting your home for any gaps, you can ensure that cool air stays inside instead of leaking out. When properly installed, weather stripping is relatively inexpensive and can save you a significant amount of money on your energy bills.
5. Replace Light Bulbs
Though you may prefer the look of incandescent lightbulbs, keep in mind that they emit 90% heat and 10% light. Switching to LED bulbs, which are more energy-efficient and emit less heat, can help you save money on your energy bill year after year. If you are still deciding whether to make the full transition, simply placing a few in select rooms can make a difference in the overall temperature of your home.
6. Draw Shades
A large portion of the unwanted heat in your home is filtered through open blinds. To promote a relaxed and comfortable environment, lower your shades and close your curtains during the hottest times of the day.
This is especially true for windows facing south and west; closing the blinds in these rooms significantly reduces the mid-day temperature of your home. This reduces the demand for your air conditioner and saves you money.
7. Keep Fans Turned On
We all hope to contribute to a healthier planet for future generations. When destroyed, most A/C units release hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant into the atmosphere, which is up to 3,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Furthermore, constantly running your A/C means you’re using a lot of electricity, which means fossil fuels are being burned to keep your house cool.
To keep cool in the summer without using an A/C unit, slightly open a window on the main floor and then widely open one on the second floor, on the opposite side of the downstairs window. To remove the rising warm air, place a fan inside the second-floor window, facing outward.
8. Utilize the Non-Peak Hours
Start changing the times you run your appliances if you can. You can keep your house cool in the summer by running your dryer and dishwasher at night, which both use hot water. This method allows you to avoid heating your home during the hottest times of the day.
9. Cool Down the Exterior
As the temperature rises outside, your interior walls will bear the brunt of the heat, resulting in warmer indoor temperatures. Work on cooling the outside of your home to reduce heat from your walls. Awnings and planting trees, vines, and shrubs outside are two ways to accomplish this. A well-placed shade tree can significantly improve your indoor temperatures while increasing your property’s curb appeal.
Adding awnings, shades, and shutters to the outside of your windows adds another layer of sun protection. Awnings can reduce heat gains by 65% to 77%, particularly when placed on west and south-facing windows, making them extremely cost-effective in the long run.
10.Put Fans Counterclockwise
When using ceiling fans in the summer, make sure the blades are spinning anticlockwise. This will ensure that your fans pull hot air upward and circulate cool air down to you, allowing you to run your A/C less frequently.
The Final Takeaway
Warmer weather increases the demand for air conditioning. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to reduce cooling costs, protect the environment, and make the most of our central air conditioning in the summer. Regular maintenance is one of the most effective ways to ensure our air conditioning is running at peak efficiency.
Bob Climate Control offers air conditioning tune-ups when you need them the most. Our highly trained technicians can ensure that your system operates even on the hottest days, keeping your family comfortable and your wallet happy.