As the summer heat rises, your air conditioner will have an additional strain, and its efficiency can reduce drastically. Furthermore, your power bills will skyrocket as you attempt to keep your house cool and comfortable. Below are ways to ease the burden on your air conditioning system and enable it to operate more efficiently and cut costs on your power bill.
Schedule AC Inspection
One of the most effective ways of increasing your system's efficiency is scheduling an AC tune-up by an HVAC expert. A checkup will reveal any underlying performance problems that could be impeding the system's proper operation. Furthermore, routine maintenance will prolong your air conditioning unit's lifespan and save you money in the long run.
Clean Around the Outside Units
To run at peak performance, your AC's outside units need clear and free air circulation. If your outdoor unit is obstructed by vegetation or debris, it would work even harder than if the place is kept clean. Rake all leaf piles and trim any tall grass, weeds, or shrubs that have sprung up around your unit. Keeping the area clean will improve the system's efficiency (and enhance your home's appearance too).
Invest in a Smart Thermostat
An excellent way to reduce your energy bill is to turn off your unit while not using it. You will manually adjust the thermostat by raising the temperature before leaving your house in the morning and lowering it at night. However, replacing the old thermostat with a new smart thermostat is a better way to make the thermostat functional for you.
Smart thermostats will automatically change the temperature based on a programmed schedule and also lower or increase the temperature when it senses the presence or absence of people in the home. If you link your smart thermostat to your Wireless connection, you can also control the temperature from your smartphone.
Insulate the Ductwork
Do you notice any exposed ductwork in your utility room, basement, or garage? If you do, any cold air in the ducts would warm up before it reaches your space. Your unit would be more efficient if you install insulation to these exposed ducts. This will save you a lot of money on your summer heating costs.
Use the above tips this summer to see how they play on you. Small improvements, when combined, may have a significant impact on the amount of energy used for cooling. Not only can you save cash, but you will make your home more comfortable.
