Heating and cooling bills can make up over half of your total utility expenses.
- That makes using central air conditioning part of the largest energy expense for a typical U.S.
home. There are some tips to help keep air conditioning systems healthy as the weather gets warmer and homeowners will begin turning on their units. Your outdoor unit will work most efficiently if it is clean and clear of debris. You can do some cleaning of it on your own but in depth cleaning should be performed by a professional. You can vacuum dust and any debris away from indoor supply vents to help maintain steady airflow from your system. Also, keep items like blinds, furniture, and toys away from blocking the vents. Typically, adjusting temperatures 5-8 degrees can help save money and energy. With a programmable thermostat, you can automatically adjust the temperature for different times of the day or during times you are going to be away from home for several hours. Keep lamps and other heat producing appliances away from your thermostat. Having heat producing appliances near your thermostat will tell it that the air in your home needs to be cooled more, causing the system to run longer and work harder than it needs to. Keep curtains and blinds closed in the heat of the day. When direct sun hits the windows in your home, keeping your curtains or blinds closed can keep some of the heat from warming up the inside of your home. Avoid using your dryer and oven in the hottest hours of the day. Running your dryer will cause warm air to be drawn into your home and using your oven will add additional warm air to your home, causing your air conditioner to work harder. Make sure ductwork that runs through an unconditioned space is properly sealed so it doesn’t leak any of your conditioned air. You can fix visual leaks with a specialized duct sealing tape but be sure a professional also checks the ductwork during your next scheduled maintenance visit.