Most people love their air conditioning. It makes life much more cook and comfortable for people across the country. The Department of Energy estimates that 43% of a household energy budget goes for the cooling and heating of the home. About 5% of all of the electricity produced around the country is used by air conditioners. That costs homeowners almost $11 billion every year. Heating and air conditioning repair experts recommend the following tips to keep your unit in the best condition.
- Make sure your HVAC unit has been installed correctly. People do not always realize how important this is. When the HVAC has been installed incorrectly, it can make these systems about 30% less efficient. Make sure this is done properly by an heating and air conditioning repair company or contractor that you trust.
- Place your air conditioner unit in a shady spot. When you have your air conditioning unit installed, make sure the contractor or company put it in a shady spot. Being under direct sun will make it work harder. The harder the motor has to work, the higher the chances are that it will break down and need to be repaired or replaced.
- Put your thermostat somewhere cool. Often people do not realize that their lights and lamps give off heat. The amount of heat given off is often influenced by the kind of bulb you have. Incandescent bulbs give off more heat that other kinds, for instance. When the thermostat heats up, it responds by turning the air conditioning on to cool down your home. You will end up running your system a lot more than you mean to when you place the thermostat too close to lights and lamps.
- Have your unit inspected by a professional. All HVAC systems can benefit from periodic inspections and tune ups that are performed by a professional. If you spend a little money on this, you will avoid having to spend a lot on a new system or on costly air conditioning repair services. The cost range for these services runs around $70 to $100. This is totally worth it. Your system will run much more efficiently after it has been tuned up.
- Pay attention to your filters. This is one of the cheapest ways to avoid needing pricey heating and air conditioning repairs. You should check your air filters at least once a month. When the air filters in your HVAC system become clogged with dust, dirt and other debris, the system works much less efficiently. The harder it has to work to keep your home cool, the more it will cost in energy bills and the more likely it is that it will break down. Central air conditioning repairs can be very expensive. Check your filters and change them when they get dirty. Clogged filters can make the air in your home less healthy to breathe and can even pose a fire hazard to your home.
- Keep the area around your air conditioning unit clear. You should check your unit regularly to make sure no leaves, branches, twigs or other debris have fallen in and clogged the unit. You should also make sure you do not plant anything too close to the unit. If you have plants like Morning Glories or Moonflowers, take care to keep the vines out of your air conditioning unit. Make sure nothing is propped up against it that might restrict air flow to and from the main unit. If something gets into the condenser, there is a good chance you will have to call someone who specializes in home air conditioning repair.
- Consider a programmable thermostat. These are great. New models have WiFi capability to allow you to check the settings while you are away. You can use these to keep your home cool (or warm) when people are going to be there and use less resources and energy when no one is going to be home.
You want your home to stay cool and comfortable all summer long and warm throughout the winter months. By paying attention to your system, you can keep it healthy and happy all year round.