As summer temperatures ramp up, many people start to wonder what they can do to maximize the cooling power of their AC units while minimizing their energy bills. While this scenario might sound too good to be true, there are quite a few things you can do to improve the performance of your air conditioning unit.
Here are a few tips from an air conditioning contractor to help you optimize your unit:
- Program your thermostat wisely. Most modern HVAC units have programmable thermostats that allow you to set the temperature according to your schedule. Take advantage of this feature and program your unit to ease up when you’re out of the house and then kick back into gear when you usually return. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, you can speak with your air conditioning contractor about installing one.
- Seal and insulate your ductwork. Leaky ductwork wastes a lot of energy by letting cooled air escape and hot air infiltrate the system. Make sure your air conditioning contractor inspects the ducts and seals as part of your opening seasonal maintenance and performs any repairs as needed.
- Replace the filters on a regular schedule. This is by far the easiest thing you can do, but also one of the most overlooked. Dirty air filters make your unit work harder, using up more energy and causing parts to wear out faster. It’s generally recommended that you change the filters every 3 months, but you can also work with your air conditioning contractor to determine the best schedule for your unit.
By following these tips, you can optimize your air conditioner’s performance this summer and enjoy cool, refreshing air all season long. If you’d like to learn more helpful tips or speak with an air conditioning contractor from our team, reach out to our office today.