Are you paying attention to how you’re operating your air conditioner?
Buying a new air conditioner is an investment. If you buy high-efficiency equipment, you are investing in years of money-saving performance. You are also investing in your home comfort. Maximizing that investment is crucial.
Do you want to maximize the lifespan of your unit? There are a few things that you should stop doing. These things can harm your air conditioner, maximize lifespan, reduce efficiency and diminish home comfort.
STOP…forgetting to change your furnace filter.
A dirty filter restricts airflow. This means that your air conditioner has to work harder to cool your home – reducing efficiency and decreasing lifespan.
STOP…putting off annual preventative maintenance.
We are already well into the cooling season, so the time for preventative maintenance this year has passed. However, pencil in a reminder for next year. Many manufacturers actually require preventative maintenance for full warranty coverage.
STOP…planting things too close to your unit.
Your outdoor air conditioning component needs “room to breathe” so to speak. When you plant too close to your air conditioner, it can restrict airflow. Plus, plants may GROW INTO your air conditioner, damaging important components.
STOP…constantly adjusting your non-programmable thermostat.
Programmable thermostats are nifty because they do the thinking/adjustments for you. If you are constantly adjusting your non-programmable thermostat, your unit could be going through frequent on/off cycles – consuming more energy and reducing system lifespan.
STOP…drastically dropping the temperature to cool your home more quickly.
Did you know that just because your thermostat is set at a lower temperature, ti does not mean your home is going to get cooler more quickly? Your air conditioner will simply run longer. If it feels like your home is never at the right temperature, you may want to talk to your contractor about zoning or making sure your air conditioner is the correct size for your home.
STOP…forgetting to schedule a cleaning appointment for your air conditioner and ductwork.
Like a dirty furnace filter or plants too close to your air conditioner, dirt and grime around your unit and in your ductowork can restrict airflow – reducing efficiency and decreasing system life. Plus, cleaning your air distribution system is important for indoor air quality.
Are you guilty of any of the above? If you need some more cooling system advice, turn to your local contractor.
