Imagine working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 2 – 3 months straight with barely a breather. Well, Ac Work come summer, that’s exactly what your central air conditioning system does to keep your home cool and comfortable. And as it does so, it can account for up to 70 percent of your summer utility costs. No wonder homeowners are always on the hunt for ways to reduce AC usage and keep cooling costs down.
Today we share 6 simple tasks that can help take a little pressure off your central AC system and shave a few bucks off your energy costs, all without sacrificing comfort. Read on to learn more.
1. Change Filters Regularly
This is by far the single best thing you can do to help your AC system run more efficiently and improve the quality of the air inside your home. You see, your AC filter keeps dirt, dust, pet dander, and more from entering the AC unit and being released into your living space. But a clogged and dirty filter struggles to do so, forcing the system to work harder than it should to draw air in. Change filters every 8 weeks or so or as recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Seal Air Leaks
Sealing off air leaks is vital to reducing strain on your AC system. Otherwise, hot air invades your home and makes your AC work overtime. Apply adequate amounts of insulation in that steamy attic or unventilated crawlspace, inspect windows for cracks and gaps and seal them if necessary, and replace weatherstripping around exterior doors. You’ll not only prevent hot air from entering your home in the summer but help keep cold air out come winter.
3. Add Reflective Solar Film to Windows
Windows located on the south and west sides of your home receive the most sunlight during the hottest times of the day. Reduce the amount of heat that comes through with reflective solar film. Instead of allowing the sun’s rays to penetrate the window and warm the room, the film reflects the sun’s ray away to help keep your home more comfortable and reduce utility bills.
4. Insulate Ducts
If your home’s air ducts run through the attic, make sure the space is properly ventilated and insulated to help it stay cool in the summer months. Next, consider insulating exposed ducts to prevent attic heat from warming the air flowing through the ducts before it reaches your living space.
5. Install a Smart Thermostat
Coming home to a sweltering house can be unbearable but running the AC all day while no one is home is just wasteful. Instead, install a smart thermostat that will “learn” your daily schedule and adjust the temperature accordingly. You can also preset temperatures and control the thermostat from a smartphone or tablet, so you can set the temperature in your home from just about anywhere.
6. Have Your AC Serviced Annually
Your AC will operate at peak performance when it’s in tip-top shape. Here are just some of the tasks a licensed HVAC tech performs during annual preventive maintenance:
- Test controls and wiring.
- Clean the blower and motor.
- Check to ensure proper airflow.
- Inspect ductwork for leaks.
- Observe how much electrical load the unit is pulling.
- Clean evaporator coils and condenser coils.
- Inspect and fix loose connections.
Has it been a year or longer since your AC system was serviced? Contact the home comfort pros are Eagle Service Company for our expert AC tune-up and inspection. It’s easily the most valuable service we offer.
