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

1. All-time summer heat records keep giving in the weight of increasing worldwide temps-- a trend that strikes house, literally and figuratively, when you receive your month-to-month air conditioning costs. Mistakes you're making with your home Air Conditioner might be damaging its effectiveness, efficiency, and safety, experts state. If you have a severely maintained system, it can end up being contaminated with bacteria that might be hazardous if breathed in. Typical signs are asthma issues and allergies. Here are eight of the most common errors individuals make when it pertains to house AC, and some easy changes that can conserve your lungs and wallet. # 1. You Aren't Changing or Cleaning Your AC Filters At a minimum, you need to be changing the filter on your central Air Conditioner system once every three months-- and as often as when a month if your system is running all the time. Disregard this task, and a filthy filter can result in bad air flow or freezing up of your unit's evaporator coil, says James Braun, a professor of engineering and director of the Center for High Efficiency Structures at Purdue University. An unclean filter might include 5% to 15% to your Air Conditioning costs, and will reduce the lifespan of your entire system. Luckily, replacement filters are pretty low-cost-- typically less than $10. If you have ductless "split" A/C units, there should be a removable panel on your unit that will enable you to rub out the filter with a rag-- no replacement required. # 2. You're Not Having Your System Serviced Yearly You could search for online video tutorials about cleaning your A/C system's coils and fins-- required upkeep operations that keep your system up and running effectively. You might also generate a professional to service your system once a year. The U.S. Department of Energy uses some pointers when searching for Air Conditioner service contractors. # 3. You Do not Have a Programmable Thermostat Possibly you're one of those super-humans who always keeps in mind to change the thermostat before leaving your home. But if you're like the rest of us, a programmable thermostat can save you hundreds on your yearly AC bill by immediately raising the temperature at those times of day when you're at work or away from home. More recent phone-controllable "wise" thermostats make shows even simpler. # 4. You're Setting Your Thermostat Too Low Research study shows the body can adapting to hot or cool temperature levels pretty quickly-- like within a week or two. When you consider you'll cut up to 3% off your Air Conditioner expense for each degree you raise the

2. temperature-- not to mention the potential environmental advantages of reducing your Air Conditioning usage-- it deserves sweating through that adjustment duration and setting your thermostat someplace in the high 70s (or greater if you can handle it). # 5. You're Not Maximizing Fans Any type of fan, but especially ceiling fans, can assist keep one's cool air circulating throughout your house. That eliminates some of the concern from your A/C system. Just make certain your ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise during the summer, which promotes higher air circulation. # 6. Your Thermostat and/or Vents Are Badly Positioned If the sun or a close-by light blasts your thermostat for huge chunks of the day, that could shake off its readings and cause it to crank your Air Conditioner despite the fact that your place is happily cool. Particularly if you're away throughout the day, you might not understand your system is working overtime due to a misplaced thermostat. Obstructing AC vents with furnishings or curtains can likewise restrict air blood circulation. Unless you invest a lot of time gathered under your sofa, you'll desire to make certain your Air Conditioner vents are unobstructed. # 7. You're Cooling Empty Spaces If Air Conditioner vents are open in every room of your house, you're cooling a lot of property that may not remain in usage on an everyday basis. Walk around and close those Air Conditioning vents that open onto unoccupied rooms. Also, closing closet doors air conditioner toronto ensures those spaces aren't swallowing your cold air. # 8. You Do not Have Blinds Or Curtains Bright sunlight is your Air Conditioning system's nemesis. By closing blinds and sliding curtains to block the sun's rays, you'll also protect your area from the sun's heat, professionals state. http://query.nytimes.com/search/sitesearch/?action=click&contentCollection&region=TopBar&WT.nav=searchWidget&module=SearchSubmit&pgtype=Homepage#/HVAC