Posted: August 15, 2022
A properly functioning air conditioning system makes it easy for all of us to stay cool at an affordable cost. But it’s easy to make mistakes along the way that could cost you money, especially when we’re trying to muddle through a stifling heat wave like the one we recently experienced.
With that in mind, here are some tips from our air conditioning experts to help everything run more smoothly for the rest of the cooling season.
Some people turn off their cooling system when everyone leaves the house for the day. When they get back home, especially on a hot day, they will turn the thermostat down as low as possible to speed up the cooling process.
But this won’t cool your house any faster! In fact, it just keeps your system working longer than necessary and will actually cost you money, especially if you forget to reset the thermostat to an energy-saver mode.
The best advice is to program your thermostat at a set level and leave your system on, even when you’re out of the house for the day. For most people, a comfortable temperature ranges between 76-79 degrees.
If you haven’t done so already, you should consider upgrading to a wireless smart thermostat. This lets you view and change temperature settings, check indoor humidity levels, and more, all from your smartphone. You can even receive alerts when you’re away from home to let you know if there is a sudden or drastic change in temperature or humidity that could indicate an equipment breakdown.
Don’t block your outside air conditioning unit with plants, shrubs, or other objects. Make sure there is 18-30 inches of clear space around the unit to allow it to “breathe.”
This helps it run more efficiently. Don’t stack anything on top of the unit either, like garden hoses or landscaping tools and products. When mowing the lawn, position the mower away from the condenser. This will help you prevent grass clippings and other debris from getting blown into your system and reducing its efficiency.
Over time, dirt and debris build up inside a system, lowering efficiency. Not only will your home become uncomfortable, but you will also spend a lot more money on electric bills. You also risk a costly repair and the loss of your manufacturer’s equipment warranty, which can be voided if a proper maintenance schedule is not followed.
That’s why we always recommend that you schedule air conditioning maintenance service with us in the spring—before it gets too hot. We also highly recommend investing in an air conditioning service plan, which covers the cost of your annual maintenance and provides coverage for common repairs.
On your own, you should change or clean the air filter on a regular basis during the cooling season to keep your system running as efficiently as possible.
You can take some of the pressure off your cooling system by running ceiling fans when your air conditioning system is on. This will move cool air more efficiently around your home, creating a wind chill effect. Using ceiling fans allow you to keep your home comfortable at higher room temperatures.
If you’re having problems with your air conditioning system, feel free to contact us. We’re always available to help solve a problem for our customers,
If your equipment isn’t keeping up any longer, talk with us about replacing it. A new high-efficiency system could cut your cooling costs in half—and eliminate the expense and annoyance of breakdowns—while keeping your home more comfortable, no matter how hot it gets.
Our cooling experts can evaluate your needs and help you choose a cooling system that’s the right size for your home.
Go here if you would like to become a Wilson customer.