The spring weather in Stuart, FL, is already fairly warm, and it’ll only grow hotter once summer arrives. For that reason, you’ll want to have the most efficient air conditioner possible. Here are five ways in which you can squeeze additional efficiency out of your AC system:
Keep Your Air Filters Clean
Without adequate airflow, you can’t expect your AC system to perform its best. However, airborne pollutants like dust, pollen and pet dander are the enemies of proper airflow. When these particles cover your filters, you’ll experience reduced airflow.
When air can’t move effectively through your AC system, treated air will have a difficult time reaching the rooms of your home. As a result, the system will struggle to keep your home cool. Your thermostat may determine that your home’s temperature isn’t low enough and thus may force your system to work harder, which will then cause it to devour more energy.
If your air conditioner consumes increasing amounts of energy while generating weaker cooling effects, that means its efficiency is falling. This is why it’s so crucial for you to remember to clean or replace your system’s filters. If you have a central AC system, you should do so about once every three months, but ductless air conditioners will require you to wash your air filter every two to four weeks.
Schedule AC Maintenance
Regular maintenance can keep your AC system running its best for up to 20 years. HVAC industry experts consistently recommend that everyone schedule AC maintenance once or twice per year.
These check-ups have many purposes. For instance, during one of them, HVAC service technicians can clean out dirt, pet dander, pollen, pebbles, leaves, twigs and other debris from your system. If they don’t remove such debris, it can continue to sit around and interfere with your AC system’s ability to carry out its functions.
Maintenance reviews also provide excellent opportunities for professionals to examine your AC system’s electrical wiring, tighten its bolts and inspect its various components in search of possible problems. Since issues like these may not always be evident, detecting and resolving them can prolong your AC system’s service life and save you a great deal of money in the long run. These savings can come from higher efficiency as well as from lower long-term air conditioner repair costs.
Get a Smart Thermostat
If you still own a manual thermostat, upgrade to a smart model as soon as possible. Smart thermostats possess a wealth of features that can place your AC system under more precise control and slash your energy costs.
Firstly, the latest programmable thermostats will read the temperatures in your home very accurately. As long as you remember to keep them away from sunlight and out of your kitchen, which may be a warmer room than any other in your home, they will direct your AC system’s behavior in a way that minimizes waste. Their Wi-Fi connectivity and recovery mode feature only extend these abilities.
Watch Your Windows
Though you may not be aware of this, treated air can leak out of your home through your windows, leaving less of it indoors and forcing your air conditioner to work harder to compensate for the loss. Cracks in their panes and warps and twists in their frames can create avenues for air to escape. You must keep watch over all of these things and take the appropriate action to mitigate them.
Shade Your Outdoor Unit
Since it can get quite hot in Stuart, FL, you should strive to ensure that your AC system’s outdoor unit doesn’t overheat. If this happens, the system’s efficiency may plummet. To reduce this risk, we suggest creating an awning or some other source of shade for the unit.
Implementing these suggestions will allow you to get more bang for your buck when using your AC system to cope with the heat in Stuart, FL. To boost AC efficiency, call Grimes Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule AC maintenance services today.
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