Stay Cool: 10 Air Conditioning Tips to Beat the Heat This Summer

Currently, 87% of United States homes use air conditioners. That amount of air conditioning is, in fact, higher than all other countries put together. You can search for an AC installation company if you are looking to have it installed at home.

With the hotter season drawing closer, what’s the state of your air conditioner?

Making sure that your AC is running efficiently throughout the summer can help you sleep better at night, prevent heat rash, and keep respiratory conditions that flare up as a result of high temperatures.

So, how can you keep your air conditioner in tiptop shape to enhance comfort, save energy, and maximize efficiency?

Well, in this post, we will discuss ten air conditioning tips you can use.

1. Schedule Professional Maintenance Service

No other practice is as effective in keeping your AC in good shape as having the appliance examined, cleaned, and tuned by a professional technician. Stunningly, only 42% of American homeowners contact a licensed HVAC technician to tune up their units. Enlisting the services of a technician can ensure that your AC is working efficiently, and catch any issues before they cause problems. If you leave it too late, and problems arise before you have maintenance carried out, then you’ll need to contact a company like JAK Services (jakservices.com/keller-air-conditioning-repair-service/) to repair the issue.

Weeks before summer sets in, having a professional tune-up of your AC can help avert any fears of the appliance breaking down in the middle of a hot summer night. It’s better to be prepared and look online to find an air conditioning service local to you, so you can have it checked over before the hot weather comes in! Typically, you’ll pay between $70 and $100, but that’s a small price compared to how much you save on emergency AC repair costs.

Besides, AC units that are regularly repaired by a professional last approximately 40% longer.

2. Replace Dirty Filters

How often do you change the filters in your central HVAC system? This practice is one of the most overlooked HVAC tips, yet filters play a huge role in keeping your unit well maintained. The filter keeps hair, dust, and other particles away from your AC’s blower fan.

How do you know it’s time to change your AC’s filter?

Check the manufacturer’s recommendation. Note that you may need to change filters more often if there’s an unusually high amount of dust in your area. Generally, you need to change your filters every three months.

If your HVAC unit has a reusable filter, replace it every five years, but be sure to clean it at least once every three months.

3. Check Your AC’s Thermostat

The thermostat on your heating and cooling system is its brain. It instructs the system to turn on or off. The thermostat is also responsible for controlling the indoor temperature. If you notice that your home isn’t as cool as it should be, then it’s very likely that the thermostat has a defect.

In case the thermostat has short-cycled and doesn’t regulate the temperature in your home well, you can call a technician to resolve the issue.

Failing to address a defect in your thermostat will often lead to failure in other parts of the system, like the AC inverter.

4. Keep the Outdoor Unit Clean

Given that the outdoor HVAC is usually out of sight, it’s easy to forget all about it. Unfortunately, a neglected, dirty outdoor unit makes the entire system less efficient.

If grime and debris that obstructs the flow of air cover the unit, the system will have to work extra hard.

Cleaning your outdoor unit regularly and keeping debris away from the unit has been one of the easiest and most effective AC tips you can adopt.

5. Ensure Your Thermostat Stays Away From Heat

You should keep heat-producing appliances, like TV sets and lamps, away from your HVAC’s thermostat.

Be sure to install the thermostat away from locations that receive direct sunlight. Why? Because when the thermostat senses heat, it automatically tells the air conditioner to work harder and for longer, which can affect the system’s condition over time.

6. Weatherize Your Home

When it comes to keeping your indoors cool and comfortable, one of the smartest air conditioning tips to adopt is making sure that your house is weatherized.

Why cool the entire neighborhood by letting cold air escape through cracks, holes, and openings on the walls and around your windows? Use caulking and weather-stripping to trap the cool air inside the home and lock hot air outside.

7. Keep the Thermostat Above 78

Why do AC experts warn against running your AC at a temperature lower than 78 degrees? Because it’s less stressful on your unit and more economical. Every degree you set on the thermostat that’s lower than 78 hikes your power bill by a whopping 8%.

One of the best ways to ensure that your indoor temperature stays at a moderate level is by using a programmable thermostat.

8. Consider Upgrading To a Better AC Model

Sometimes, even the smartest AC tips and tricks can’t do enough to keep you cool and comfortable in the boiling heat of the summer. For instance, an old, outdated air conditioning unit will hardly give you efficient service.

So, what do you do when your once trusty AC unit is at the end of its lifespan? Start shopping for a new, more efficient model.

Wondering if it’s the right time to replace your AC? Well, if the unit is 10 years or older, it’s time.

9. Mind Your Landscaping

Landscaping that has lots of rock, asphalt or cement can increase temperatures around your home, especially during the summer. All that heat interferes with your outdoor AC’s efficiency.

In case there are surfaces near the unit that can radiate heat, provide some proper shading to make the space cooler.

10. Use Your Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans can help keep the temperatures in your home low for a tiny fraction of the cost of running your AC. During the hot months of the summer, switch the fans to run in a counterclockwise direction.

This helps push cool air down, keeping your indoor space more comfortable. Your ceiling fans are to complement your air conditioning unit, not to replace it.

Final Thoughts

Your air conditioning system is the best weapon you have when it comes to fighting off the oppressive heat come summer. With some ingenious air conditioning tips, you can get the most out of the AC system without running into huge power costs.

Check back on our blog for more tips on how to improve your home.