For any homeowner, those blazing hot summer afternoons do make air conditioning units part and parcel of daily life. However, with rising energy costs, you might be tempted to avoid cranking up the AC unit for fear of spending more on energy bills. Moreover, installing state-of-the-art temperature controllers doesn't count for much if your house is not optimized for efficient air conditioning. Therefore, if the energy bills in your mailbox send shivers down your spine every month, then you need to think differently. This write up provides ideas for optimizing your AC system.
Leave Vents Open -- There are moments when the rooms upstairs might be cooler than the rooms downstairs. You might, therefore, be tempted to close the vents upstairs to direct more cool air to vents in the rooms below. On the face of it, the approach might seem like the best way to improve AC unit efficiency because you are only cooling a few places. However, nothing could be further from the truth. It is because closing too many vents forces the AC unit to work harder as it pushes past the increased air pressure resulting from closed vents. The elevated pressure slows down the fan's speed, consequently lowering airflow. It might explain why most professional HVAC contractors are reluctant to install smart vents in clients' homes.
Improve Weather Stripping on Windows and Doors -- The doors and windows in your home largely determine the efficiency of your AC system. For instance, windows with defective seals lose heat to the outside, thereby forcing the air conditioning system to work extra hard. The best way, therefore, to optimize your air conditioning system is to install energy efficient windows and doors. Unfortunately, it can be an expensive undertaking and might not be worth the hassle, especially if you don't plan to live in the house in the near future. The best alternative is to improve weatherstripping on the windows and doors. Whichever type of weatherstrip you use, the add-on will seal whatever gaps around the window panes and the door edges. The air conditioning system will thereby use less energy because heat loss through the windows and doors is eliminated. However, if you plan to live in the house for many years, then HVAC contractors recommend that you replace the windows and doors with energy efficient designs.
Tune Up Before Summer -- If your AC system doesn't feature a furnace, then the chances are that it will lie idle during the fall or winter and the condenser unit will collect debris, dirt and moss. When this happens, the fan and coolant will be less efficient in keeping the house cool by expelling excess heat. Moreover, if the moving parts lie dormant for long periods, they tend to wear out and can cause the AC unit to fail when you need it the most. As summer approaches, call your HVAC contractor to inspect the system for defects and tune it up accordingly. Such service will prepare the AC unit for the rigours of summer weather.
Share31 May 2019
Howdy! I'm Hank and I am writing this blog so I can give you the lowdown on the cheapest and most effective ways you can heat or cool your home. I'm not a trained HVAC contractor but my brother is. Last year, I called up my brother and asked him to drive over and install a new HVAC system in my property. The old system wasn't cooling or warming my house and it was making a strange noise. During the installation, my brother gave me lots of great advice and explained exactly what he was doing at each step. I hope you find this information useful.