Top Mistakes to Avoid in Air Conditioning
For most homes in hot environments, cooling uses a lot more electricity than every other use– around 70 percent of a summer season power costs, according to a few estimates. Nevertheless, there are methods for most people to decrease this load by modifying their air conditioner habits. Here are the biggest air conditioning mistakes people make, and ways to reduce usage and electric bills
Mistake No. 1: Purchasing Very Large an Air Conditioner
Bigger isn’t always better. Many people are driven to get a larger air conditioner, thinking it will help make the home cooler faster. On the other hand, an oversized air conditioner won’t generate consistent temperatures or decrease humidity. It can also run inefficiently by cycling on and off quickly. Of course, a unit might also be too small to properly cool the area. To correctly measure a new air conditioning unit, start with this Customer Reports worksheet.
Mistake No. 2: Setting the Air Conditioner in a Hot Spot
It might appear beneficial to put air conditioners in an unused place on the southwest side of the house. However, such positioning will make the unit work too hard. Instead, install the air conditioner in a shady spot on the east or north side of the property, where it will take less direct sunlight.
Mistake No. 3: Hiding the Air Conditioner
The air conditioner may not be beautiful, but neither are excessive summer energy bills. Don’t attempt to tuck away air conditioning unit behind shrubs or other plants. It will hinder venting, clog condenser coils and make the air conditioning system run much less efficiently.
Mistake No. 4: Ignoring Maintenance
Air Conditioning Units are deceptively self-sufficient. Many homeowners ignore basic servicing that can easily enhance effectiveness and comfort, and extend the life span of the air conditioner.
Clean or change filters at least every two months. If it is utilized continuously or filters a lot of dust and pet hair, check the filters more frequently. Also check and clean the evaporator coil once a year. Run a stiff wire through the air conditioner’s drain channels regularly, and check the window seals around room air conditioners each year.
Mistake No. 5: Leaving the Air conditioning unit Working All Day
Use a programmable regulator or specific unit timer to commence cooling down the house before you get home from work. This is cheaper and more effective than leaving behind the air conditioner running all day, despite rumors to the contrary.
Mistake No. 6: Without consideration Closing Extra Air vent
Viewpoints differ on the efficiency of closing air vent and doorways to extra rooms. In many cases, this can reduce the efficiency of a central air conditioning system. Consult a specialist before closing off any parts of the home for the summer. Also be careful about closing off any rooms that may have a thermostat.
Mistake No. 7: Turning the Temperature Way Down
If you are convenient at 78 degrees, don’t come home and turn the thermostat to 70 degrees. It will certainly not get you to 78 any faster. It will just leap past 78 and waste ever more energy obtaining to exceedingly low temperatures.
Mistake No. 8: Warming Up the Regulator
Ensure lamps, televisions, stereos or other heat-generators are not near enough to the regulator to accidentally drive up the temperature reading and strain the air conditioner.
Mistake No. 9: Not Utilizing Ceiling Fans or Operating Them Backwards
Lots of people believe their air conditioner is a replacement for ceiling fans. Instead, they should be used in conjunction. According to Energy Star, make certain the fan is switched to push air downward (typically counter-clockwise). It may seem more sensible to reverse the fan so it is drawing hot air upward. However, the downward airflow produces a “wind chill effect,” which helps make you feel cooler.
Mistake No. 10: Employing the Inappropriate Fans
On the contrary, exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom can push cool, conditioned air outside of the home. They must not be used more than absolutely required in the summer season.
If you live in our near West Jordan, Utah, call North Star Heating and Air Conditioning 24 hours a day for all of your HVAC needs.