It’s almost time for the weather to be hot and steamy again. Air conditioning is a wonderful invention, but not always a cheap one. There are some things that can be done to help the a/c unit run more efficiently and last longer.
Filter must be clean. Buy as many as you expect to use for the season. Add reminders to the calendar to change the filters.
Make sure the thermostat is set to ‘Fan On’. The thermostat can be raised one or two degrees and everyone will feel just as cool. The condenser won’t have to cycle on and off as often, saving money.
There is a myth that turning off the a/c when leaving home for a while will save money. Completely untrue! The A/C will have to work harder to get the home cool again. It’s better to turn the thermostat up 5-10 degrees.
Fans move the air, helping everyone feel cooler. Check that the attic fan is working well.
Every year, wash the outside condenser coil. If it’s dirty, it’s costing money because the unit will be running hot and will be inefficient. You can tell that the coil is dirt if the 3/8″ copper tubing that connects the inside unit to the outside unit will be hot. This hot tubing implies that either the outside condenser coil is dirty or the unit needs refrigerant.
A 3-5 minute time-delay on the thermostat will prevent permanent damage to the compressor. Most of the programmable digital thermostats have a built-in time delay.
It’s been said before, but drawn curtains and shades will help keep the house cool and save money.
People often close off a room or rooms to save money. There should be a 3/4″ gap between the door and floor to allow return air ducts to pull warm air from the room.
Finally, call to have a routine maintenance check done on the A/C unit. It will be more efficient, last longer, and cost less to run.
Refrigeration Heating & Cooling is available 24/7 to their Michigan customers. This Air Conditioning Contractor Grand Haven believes in giving their customers all of the information possible so that they can make informed decisions. The company is a full service air conditioning and heating contractor, offering reliable service and competitive rates.
