Your air conditioner can end up as as overheated and overtaxed in the summer as you can. If your unit is working too hard, it may stop working as efficiently as it used to, or it may even ice over.
Thankfully, it’s not too hard to ease up some of the pressure on your unit. Take care of your Air Conditioner with these simple tips, and it’ll take care of you.
Give Your Unit a Tune-Up
Ideally, you should call in an HVAC professional to perform routine maintenance on your air conditioning unit, anywhere between two to four times a year. The contractor will clean the unit, replace its Freon or other refrigerant and make sure everything’s operating as it should. Plus, they should be able to catch and fix any problems before they cause the Air Conditioner to fail.
If you’re late in the season, never fear. It’s never too early to get your Air Conditioner tuned up, so get this done as soon as possible.
Clean the Filter
Cleaning out your air conditioner’s filter is something you can do yourself. Clean it once a month, to make your A/C’s job easier, and to improve your air quality in your home.
Check Your Insulation
If your home is well-insulated, your air conditioner won’t need to run as long or as hard. Your home’s climate will be better separated from the out-of-doors, with no cold air escaping or hot air entering. If your Air Conditioner is working hard, it may be time to insulate your attic, or put weatherstripping around your windows.
Incidentally, this means you shouldn’t open your windows during summer, when your air conditioner is running. Your A/C is more effective than any cool breeze.
Use Heat-Producing Appliances Carefully
Appliances like your oven or your dryer can heat up your home a lot. If the weather’s warm, don’t run these appliances during the hottest times of the day, when your unit is already working its hardest to keep your home cool. Save these appliances for the cooler evenings instead.
Shut Your Blinds
Nothing is nicer than summer sunshine, but that doesn’t mean you necessarily want it in your home. Shut your blinds to keep sunlight from entering through your windows and turning your home into a greenhouse.
Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans circulate air and make your home feel cooler. Remember that in summer, your fans should turn counterclockwise, to push cooler air down.
Program Your Thermostat
Your A/C doesn’t have to be operating full blast when you’re out of the house. Let your home get a little warmer when you’re gone, to cut down on your energy bills and give your hard-taxed unit a rest.
Replace Your Unit
If your A/C is over ten years old, then you’ll typically see a severe drop-off in the unit’s efficiency. Talk to your HVAC contractor at your unit’s next tune-up, and see if it’s time to replace your air conditioner.
In hot weather, your air conditioner has to work much harder to keep your home cool. Take some steps to keep your home cool and ensure your A/C unit is well-maintained, contact us and you’ll see a big improvement in your air conditioner’s performance.
FAQ: How to Take Care of Your Air Conditioner During the Summer
1. How often should I service my air conditioner in the summer?
You should have your air conditioner serviced twice a year, ideally before the start of the cooling season. Routine maintenance helps catch small issues before they turn into costly repairs. It also improves energy efficiency, potentially reducing your cooling costs by up to 15% annually, according to the Department of Energy. You’ll not only extend the lifespan of your unit, but also avoid those sweltering breakdowns during the hottest months.
2. Why does my air conditioner freeze up during summer?
An air conditioner can freeze due to a dirty air filter, low refrigerant levels, or poor airflow, which causes ice to form on the evaporator coils. Cleaning or replacing your filter every month can help prevent this. If you notice frost, call a professional to check the refrigerant levels, as running with low refrigerant can damage the compressor.
3. How do I improve the energy efficiency of my air conditioner?
Start by cleaning or replacing the air filter regularly and ensuring your home is well-insulated. Proper insulation can reduce energy loss and improve your AC’s efficiency by 10-15%. Also, setting your thermostat higher when you’re out of the house can reduce your energy use by 10% annually.
4. Does using a ceiling fan reduce the need for air conditioning?
Yes, a ceiling fan can make your room feel up to 4°F cooler by improving air circulation. This means you can set your thermostat higher without feeling any less comfortable. Fans should rotate counterclockwise in the summer to push cool air down.
5. Can running appliances affect my air conditioner’s performance?
Yes, running heat-producing appliances like ovens or dryers during the hottest part of the day can increase your home’s temperature, causing your air conditioner to work harder. Try using these appliances in the early morning or late evening to avoid overtaxing your unit.
6. How do blinds or curtains help reduce cooling costs?
Closing your blinds or curtains during the day can block up to 30% of unwanted heat from entering your home. This simple step can ease the burden on your air conditioner, keeping your home cooler and cutting down on energy costs.
7. Is it worth upgrading to a newer air conditioner model?
If your unit is over 10 years old, it may be running at less than 70% efficiency compared to newer models. Upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner can cut your cooling costs by 20-40% and provide more consistent comfort.
8. How do programmable thermostats save energy in the summer?
Using a programmable thermostat allows you to set higher temperatures when you’re not at home. Letting your home warm up by 7-10°F for 8 hours a day can reduce your annual energy bill by up to 10%. Program it to cool down just before you return home for maximum efficiency.
9. Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling my house?
If your air conditioner is running but not cooling, it could be due to a clogged filter, low refrigerant, or a problem with the compressor. First, try cleaning the filter. If the problem persists, you may need to have the refrigerant recharged or the system inspected for leaks.
10. What temperature should I set my thermostat to in the summer?
For the best balance between comfort and energy savings, set your thermostat to 78°F when you’re at home. When you’re away, you can increase it by 7-10°F to save energy without sacrificing comfort when you return.