All these years, you’ve probably enjoyed your AC when things have heated up. After installation, you might not have given much thought to the unit except for turning it on and off. However, you shouldn’t stop thinking about your AC. Its efficiency isn’t a static thing; efficiency is determined by a number of factors. Some of these are in your control, and you should always try to maximize the output of the unit. Here’s a rundown of some everyday things that decrease your AC efficiency.
Prolonged Use
There’s nothing more relaxing than watching TV for hours on a weekend with your AC on. However, this sort of prolonged use is not good for its efficiency. Just like our bodies, AC units need time to rest and recover. When you run a unit for hours on end, it begins to overheat and lose efficiency.
By the end of the day, the AC is running on fumes and has been pushed to its limit. Special cooling methods such as supercooling are great ways to cut down on your AC usage. Even better, you can simply anticipate when you will be out of the home and when temperatures will drop. When the climate is tolerable, give your unit a break as much as possible.
Extreme Temperatures
Extreme temperatures also decrease efficiency by quite a bit. In the summer, we all know how a streak of hot days can be commonplace. When temperatures approach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, your unit needs to work overtime to get the job done. There’s a good chance that it will struggle to reach the temperature you desire and become inefficient in the process. Constantly using your AC in extreme temperatures shortens its lifespan. When the climate is hot, lower your expectations on what your AC can achieve.
Dirty Filters
Dirty filters also decrease the efficiency of an AC. A filter full of debris and dirt won’t allow as much air to pass through. This means that less air is able to enter the appliance, and less air is able to be emitted. Overall, your AC is not working as well as it theoretically could.
There are often multiple layers of filters in the interior of your unit, so clean up all of them for the greater good. In particular, if there are objects stuck inside the filter, remove them right away. In addition, a dirty filter is simply not good for your health. You’ll want to clean up your filter as soon as possible to enable a full airstream to pass through the device.
Cooking
You might be surprised that an activity as basic as cooking can decrease AC efficiency. It’s true as cooking naturally increases the temperature inside your home. While it might seem like all the heat is contained in the kitchen, warm air can quickly spread to other rooms. All of a sudden, your unit is working overtime to cool your home. The stove as well as the oven can contribute to this decreased efficiency. When you cook, it’s not a bad idea to open your windows and put on the fan instead. This will also help with ventilation for smoke, so you get the best of both worlds.
Open Windows
Lastly, open windows put a major dent in AC efficiency. When all of your windows are open, there is a seamless connection between your home and the outside. In this case, cooling your home is essentially cooling your entire neighborhood. Make sure to close all windows around your home so that they are airtight. When you turn your AC on, it’s not only the active cooling that keeps your house chilled. Preserving the cold air with an airtight seal is half the battle as well. You’ll find that you can get away with a much lower setting if your home is sealed off from the outside world.
Maximize AC Efficiency
In conclusion, these are some everyday things that decrease your AC efficiency. When you avoid these practices, you’ll be able to get the most out of your unit. A professional service such as Wingate Heating, Cooling & Plumbing in Cincinnati, OH can further help you to maximize your AC. We’re experts in this field and can also take care of plumbing repairs, electrical maintenance< and heating installation. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call and get in contact with a representative!