Eight Big Mistakes You're Making With Your Air Conditioning Unit

1. All-time summer season heat records keep giving in the weight of increasing global temperatures-- a trend that hits home, literally and figuratively, when you get your regular monthly a/c expense. Unfortunately, mistakes you're making with your home A/C might be undercutting its performance, efficiency, and security, specialists state. If you have a terribly kept system, it can become polluted with microorganisms that may be damaging if breathed in. Common signs are asthma issues and allergies. Here are 8 of the most typical errors individuals make when it comes to home Air Conditioner, and some simple changes that can save air conditioner repair edmonton your lungs and wallet. # 1. You Aren't Changing or Cleaning Your AC Filters At a minimum, you should be changing the filter on your central AC unit when every 3 months-- and as often as once a month if your system is running all the time. Overlook this task, and a filthy filter can result in poor air flow or freezing up of your unit's evaporator coil, states James Braun, a teacher of engineering and director of the Center for High Efficiency Buildings at Purdue University. An unclean filter might add 5% to 15% to your Air Conditioner expense, and will shorten the lifespan of your whole system. Replacement filters are quite low-cost-- typically less than $10. If you have ductless "split" Air Conditioner systems, there need to be a detachable panel on your system that will permit you to wipe off the filter with a rag-- no replacement necessary. # 2. You're Not Having Your System Serviced Annually You could search for online video tutorials about cleaning your AC unit's coils and fins-- needed maintenance operations that keep your system up and running efficiently. You might also bring in a professional to service your system once a year. The U.S. Department of Energy provides some pointers when browsing for Air Conditioning service professionals. # 3. You Don't Have a Programmable Thermostat Maybe you're one of those super-humans who constantly keeps in mind to change the thermostat before leaving your house. However if you resemble the rest people, a programmable thermostat can save you hundreds on your yearly AC expense by automatically raising the temp at those times of day when you're at work or away from home. Newer phone-controllable "clever" thermostats make programming even simpler. # 4. You're Setting Your Thermostat Too Low

2. Research shows the body is capable of adjusting to hot or cool temperatures quite rapidly-- like within a week or 2. When you consider you'll cut up to 3% off your A/C bill for each degree you raise the temperature-- not to mention the possible ecological benefits of decreasing your Air Conditioner use-- it's worth sweating through that modification duration and setting your thermostat someplace in the high 70s (or higher if you can manage it). # 5. You're Not Making The Most Of Fans Any type of fan, however specifically ceiling fans, can assist keep cool air flowing throughout your house. That removes a few of the problem from your Air Conditioning system. Just make sure your ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise during the summer season, which promotes higher air flow. # 6. Your Thermostat and/or Vents Are Improperly Placed If the sun or a nearby lamp blasts your thermostat for big chunks of the day, that could throw off its readings and trigger it to crank your Air Conditioner even though your place is pleasantly cool. Particularly if you're away during the day, you might not understand your system is working overtime due to a misplaced thermostat. Obstructing AC vents with furniture or drapes can likewise limit air circulation. Unless you spend a lot of time gathered under your sofa, you'll wish to make certain your Air Conditioning vents are unblocked. # 7. You're Cooling Empty Spaces If AC vents are open in every room of your home, you're cooling a great deal of property that may not remain in use on a day-to-day basis. Stroll around and close those AC vents that open onto vacant rooms. Closing closet doors ensures those spaces aren't swallowing your cold air. # 8. You Do not Have Blinds Or Curtains Bright sunshine is your AC system's bane. By closing blinds and moving drapes to block the sun's rays, you'll also shield your space from the sun's heat, professionals say. https://www.washingtonpost.com/newssearch/?query=HVAC