714-632-1317
As the summertime heat ramps up, you will likely rely on your air conditioning system more often. Since there’s nothing worse than your air conditioning system breaking down on the hottest of the summer days, it only makes sense to do everything possible to prevent that from happening. Fortunately, we’re going to share with you some of our best tips for optimal summertime AC efficiency.
Get Professional Maintenance Service
One of the most effective things you can do to ensure that your system works optimally is to have annual HVAC maintenance done by a licensed professional. You want to schedule this service during the spring months. This is so that you still have time to fix any problems that crop up with your system before you need to rely on it consistently. This annual service will help to drastically reduce your risk of experiencing a system breakdown during the summertime.
Seal Air Leaks
Hot air seeping into your home is one of the biggest culprits of a constantly running air conditioning system. Over time, it’s common for air gaps to develop around your doors and windows. When this happens, warm air from outside will seep into your home and raise its overall temperature. To prevent this problem, you’ll want to use weather stripping and caulking to seal any air gaps around your doors or windows.
Maintain Your Filter Changes
Your AC filter is necessary to remove unwanted allergens and contaminants from the air inside your home. As your filter does its job, it’ll start to accumulate a large amount of airborne debris. If you don’t change your filter out when it reaches the end of its usable lifespan, it can act as more of a barrier inside your ducting. That makes it much harder for your air conditioning system to move air. To avoid having this issue, you want to check your air filter every couple of weeks and replace it as soon as necessary.
Ensure Airflow Around Your Outdoor Unit
One imperative component of your overall cooling system is your outdoor condenser unit. This unit is responsible for dispersing heat that was transported out of your home into the air outdoors. Whenever the unit becomes obstructed with greenery or even leaves, its airflow will be restricted. The more restricted the airflow is for your unit, the worse it’s going to be at doing its job. To prevent this issue, you’ll simply want to clean up around your outdoor unit on a regular basis. Check it after each storm and make sure that all your shrubbery is trimmed back at least three feet from the unit.
Keep Windows Closed
One of the biggest myths about saving money on air conditioning costs is that you should open your windows during the overnight hours. While it is cooler in the evening, you’re essentially letting humid air enter your home. When you wake up in the morning and shut your windows, you’re trapping that humidity indoors. When your home has a high humidity level, it’s going to feel much hotter than it actually is. This can have you turning down the temperature on your thermostat to compensate. Do yourself a favor and simply keep your windows shut at night.
Use Ceiling Fans
One great addition to any cooling system is indoor ceiling fans. You should position these in the most commonly used rooms of your home. Ensure they’re spinning counterclockwise during summer to force air downward. This will help create a wind chill effect on your body, making the room feel much colder than it actually is. When your room feels colder, you can turn the temperature on your thermostat up and still be comfortable in your home.
Check for Blocked Vents
If you have a ducted cooling system, you will have vents in every room of your home. Anytime these vents are obstructed by items like furniture or even plants, it can restrict the ability of your cooling system to adequately deliver cold air to that room. It’s a good rule of thumb to walk around your home every couple of weeks and check all the air vents to see if there are any obstructions. Additionally, ensure that none of your vents are closed, as it can affect your HVAC system’s pressure and overall functionality.
Block Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight is one of the biggest culprits of rising indoor air temperatures during summer. It’s been shown that direct sunlight seeping into a window can increase the room’s temperature by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, this will cause your air conditioning system to continually overwork to combat the constant heat that is coming in throughout the day. You should opt for using blinds, UV window film, or even curtains to help block out direct sunlight during the daylight hours.
Use a Whole-Home Dehumidifier
If you live in a particularly humid area of the country, you know how much hotter humidity can make you feel. One of the best ways to help combat humidity in your home is to use a whole-home dehumidifier. This will actively monitor the relative humidity level in your home and turn it on to remove any excess humidity when levels get high. The less humid your home is, the more manageable your indoor temperature will be.
Avoid Creating Heat Indoors
During the hot summer months, there are days when heat waves roll through the area. Your best bet for having an efficient AC system during these times is to avoid creating any sort of heat indoors. Any extra heat you add inside will be something your air conditioning system has to compete with to do its job. Avoid using appliances like your clothes dryer, stove, and oven. Instead, hand dry your clothes on those hot summer days and consider cooking outside or creating cold meals for your family.
Reinforce Your Insulation
Insulation acts as a barrier between the air outside and inside your home. The higher the R-value of your insulation, the more resistant that insulation will be to large temperature swings. If your home lacks insulation or doesn’t have insulation that meets the minimum R-value for your area of the country, it may be time to consider beefing up your insulation. The higher your insulation R-value, the more air-conditioned air will stay inside your home. Also, your air conditioning system will have to run less often to keep up with your temperature demands.
Consider Upgrading Your Cooling System
If your current home air conditioning system is over 10 years old, it may be time to consider upgrading to a more efficient unit. Modern-day cooling systems are available in a wide range of efficiency levels. One of the biggest benefits of upgrading before the summer season is that it will help to greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a breakdown. This is because breakdowns are much less common in newer units than those that are over 10 years old.
Expert AC Service
Avis Home Solutions offers expert AC service for the Anaheim, CA community. Our team can assist with all of your heating, plumbing, ductless mini-split, indoor air quality, water heater, and water treatment system needs. Simply contact us today to schedule your next service consultation.
