
As one of the biggest users of electricity in your home, itâs vital that you do all you can to help your air conditioner run as efficiently as possible. Though those hot summer days will still require your air conditioner to run fairly frequently, itâs possible to reduce your usage on most other days, resulting in less wear and tear on your system and a much lower utility bill for you. Here are a few tips to help you use your air conditioning more efficiently.
Keep Out the Sun
Though a steady stream of sunshine can be a welcome sight on cold winter days, during the summer all it does is cause your air conditioner to work harder as the surfaces in your home absorb the heat from the sun. Therefore, itâs important to keep the sun out of your home as much as possible. The best way to do this is through the use of black-out curtains on all your windows, which will trap sun and heat at the windows, helping to keep your home much cooler without any extra effort on the part of your air conditioner.
Proper Repairs
Another common reason for inefficiency in your air conditioner is an issue with some component of the air conditioner. If you notice your system working harder than normal, itâs important to have a technician come to your home to determine if air conditioning system repair is required. Problems could range from a small refrigerant leak all the way to a system thatâs in need of replacement. In any event, though, itâs important to have any problems fixed quickly to ensure you arenât wasting money on cooling your home.
Donât Add to the Heat
Your air conditioner works hard to keep your home cool. The last thing you want to do, then, is to add heat back into your home through the use of various appliances. Thatâs why, during the warm months, itâs important to use your oven as little as possible, as this can quickly heat a room to the point that your air conditioner kicks on prematurely. Additionally, itâs a good idea to try and do heat-producing tasks, such as washing dishes and drying clothes in the evening after the sun has had a chance to go down and isnât adding to the heat load of your home.
Understand Your A/C
A common misconception about air conditioners is that itâs best to lower the temperature on the thermostat significantly in order to cool your home more quickly. However, this is just about one of the most inefficient actions you can take. Your air conditioner will cool your home at the same rate, no matter what temperature your thermostat is set to. Whatâs more, if you set your thermostat too low, your air conditioner will work longer to achieve that temperature, resulting in wasted energy and potential freeze-ups of your system.
On Second Thought
One reason that air conditioners are often overused is that people fail to ask themselves if they are truly uncomfortable before adjusting their thermostat. In the same way that asking yourself âam I truly hungry?â can help you eat less, asking âam I truly uncomfortable?â can help you pause before adjusting your thermostat, resulting in lower air conditioner usage. By taking some time to be mindful of your comfort level, you may find that youâre able to use your air conditioner even less than you thought possible.