With summer nearing, there’s no better time than now to make sure your air conditioner is ready. Read on to learn five low-cost ways to make your air conditioner in Union Springs, Alabama, work more efficiently.
Set the Thermostat and Forget It
One of the easiest ways to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency is to set your thermostat properly and refrain from adjusting it unless necessary. We recommend setting your programmable thermostat to 78 degrees during cooling season when you’re at home and awake.
Program the thermostat to increase the temperature by 8 or 10 degrees when you’re away or asleep. If you can dial back the temperature for eight hours or more per day, you can save up to 10 percent on HVAC costs. Just be sure to program the thermostat to adjust back to 78 degrees when you normally return home or wake up so you’re always comfortable.
Use Ceiling Fans
When the temperature rises, your air conditioner doesn’t have to be your only strategy for keeping cool. Ceiling fans don’t cost much, but they can offer cost-effective cooling for your home. These fans create a sort of wind-chill effect that makes you feel cooler. As a result, you can raise your thermostat 4 degrees without noticing a temperature change. That can translate to even more savings on your energy bill. To use your ceiling fans to the fullest, make sure they operate in a counterclockwise direction during the summer months.
Install a Dehumidifier
Most air conditioners are designed to remove extra moisture from the air. In Alabama, however, moderating humidity can be tricky, especially on those hot, sticky summer days.
To give your air conditioner a break, consider installing a Performance DEHXX whole-home dehumidifier. This whole-home unit works with your existing HVAC system to improve efficiency and pull excess humidity from the air when cooling your home. It won’t drive up your cooling costs, and it’ll make you feel more comfortable during the cooling season.
Schedule HVAC Maintenance
If you haven’t scheduled maintenance for your air conditioner yet, it isn’t too late to schedule an appointment. We recommend scheduling an air conditioner tune-up once a year, preferably as early in the season as possible. HVAC maintenance won’t take much of your time, but it’ll give our team a chance to:
- Inspect your cooling system
- Recalibrate it for the upcoming season
- Change the air filter
- Replace any worn parts
An AC tune-up will also give our service technicians a chance to identify and repair issues that could turn into expensive problems down the road. Ultimately, you’ll enjoy a more efficient system and get peace of mind knowing it’s in good shape for the summer.
Rethink Your Landscaping
If your home typically receives a lot of direct sunlight during the summer, your air conditioner could be working harder than necessary to keep you cool. The next time you update your landscaping, consider planting trees that provide shade and ground cover that will help moderate the temperature of the air that flows into your AC system. This simple change can add beauty to your backyard and improve HVAC efficiency.
If you aren’t due for a landscaping upgrade, give your HVAC system’s efficiency a boost by tidying up around the outdoor unit. Remove fallen leaves and twigs from the top of the unit. Trim back overgrown grass and shrubbery. Ideally, give the outdoor unit a 3-foot radius that’s free from obstructions so air can easily flow in and out.
Whether you need to schedule HVAC maintenance or you’re considering an AC upgrade, don’t hesitate to contact our team. Call Air Conditioning by Luquire at 334-230-5870 today for professional help with your comfort needs.
Image provided by Bigstock
