15 Jun How to Improve the Efficiency of Your Air Conditioner
A highly efficient air conditioner not only keeps your home cool in the summer, it also saves you money. There are many steps you can take to improve air conditioner efficiency and prevent unexpected increases in your energy bills this summer.
At Energy Saving Pros, we aim to help residents in Sacramento and the surrounding areas lower their energy bills with efficient, long-lasting HVAC systems and services. Continue reading to find out how you can make your A/C more efficient and cool your home better.
Six Tips to Improve Air Conditioner Efficiency
1: Insulate and Seal Your Home
Cool air can escape through poor insulation and through leaks in your attic or around your doors and windows. Professional attic sealing and caulking and weather-stripping your doors and windows will help keep cool air inside.
You should also schedule regular HVAC maintenance to ensure that leaks in your vents and any other issues with your system are caught and resolved quickly. Our HVAC professionals can also check to make sure that your ductwork and attic are properly insulated, and install more energy-efficient insulation if needed.
2: Turn Off Your HVAC System Before Opening Windows
It’s a good idea to open your windows to get more ventilation when cooking or simply to let fresh air circulate around your home and improve your indoor air quality. However, leaving the windows open while your A/C is running will obviously let cool air escape and make your HVAC system less efficient.
Whenever cool air escapes your home, it takes longer to get back to the desired indoor temperature. This puts more stress on your air conditioning unit and causes higher energy bills. Before you open any windows, make sure to turn off the HVAC system first.
3: Minimize Heat Gain in Your Home
Although there are several other factors that also contribute to heat gain, windows are the main source of heat in your home. Sunny windows can make your air conditioner less efficient by increasing heat gain in your home, even when they’re closed. Reducing that heat gain will prevent your A/C from working too hard to keep your home cool throughout summer.
You can significantly decrease heat gain in your home by blocking out the sun in the following ways:
- Closing thick curtains or blinds during the heat of the day
- Planting trees and/or shrubs outside to shade your windows
- Installing shade screens on your windows
- Putting a tint or film on your windows
- Using shutters and/or awnings outside your windows
4: Never Place Heat-Producing Appliances Near the Thermostat
Heat-producing appliances are another source of heat gain in your home. You should try to avoid using the oven, dryer, or dishwasher during the hottest part of the day in summer (around 3 or 4 pm) to reduce heat gain.
It’s also important to install your thermostat away from any heat sources—even lamps—so that it will accurately determine the indoor temperature. Otherwise, your thermostat may think it’s hotter in your home than it actually is, making your A/C have to run longer to cool your home.
5: Keep Your Outdoor Unit Clear
Make sure to remove any leaves or other debris from on top of and around the outdoor condenser unit of your A/C. The outdoor unit transfers heat from inside your home to the outside, so if it is not properly maintained, your air conditioner will have a difficult time working due to the lack of heat exchange. This is another reason that regular preventative maintenance from an HVAC professional is so important—it helps keep your condenser unit clear and running smoothly.
6: Clean Your Vents
Too much dust inside your ductwork can restrict airflow, put stress on your A/C, and lower your indoor air quality. You should schedule professional maintenance every few years to thoroughly clean your ductwork. It’s also important to regularly vacuum on and around your A/C’s wall and/or floor registers. You can ensure proper airflow by replacing dirty filters every three months, and by keeping your registers free of obstructions like curtains and furniture.
Efficient Air Conditioner Services in Sacramento
Interested in improving the efficiency of your air conditioner or even your entire home? At Energy Saving Pros, we provide a wide range of energy-efficient services for home and business owners in the Greater Sacramento area. From solar solutions to professional HVAC installation and maintenance, we’ll help you make your home as efficient as possible. Call 916-259-2501 today to find an energy-saving solution that fits your needs.
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