by Cooper Climate Control
0
Surprise – it’s summer! Not that anyone needs to remind you – it’s already August, we’re in the middle of a heat wave, and if you’re like many people in the Valley-Metro area, your cooling bills are probably soaring. It’s so hot out now that most people are willing to put up with increased costs if it means a break from the heat.
But don’t give up yet – there are still a lot of things you can do to cut your air conditioner costs and improve your air conditioner efficiency, even (and in fact, especially) when the temperatures get out of control!
Easy Ways to Improve AC Efficiency
Change your filters – by now, mentioning changing filters when we talk about air conditioners seems almost like a knee-jerk reaction. Even so, it’s extremely important to make sure you change your filters monthly – along with leaky ducts, dirty filters are one of the leading causes of lost air conditioner efficiency. Trust us – the extra couple bucks you spend on filters will more than pay you back in increased air conditioner efficiency.
Take care of your compressor – if you have bushes or shrubbery growing around your air conditioner compressor (the outside portion), make sure you keep them trimmed back with at least 24” of space. Even if you think you’re safe on this, you should check just to make sure – we’ve had a lot of rain and it’s possible that bushes you trimmed back in May have already grown back.
Also don’t forget that it’s never too late for an AC tune up – call Cooper Climate Control for more details.
Use your thermostat wisely – everyone has different temperature preferences, but in general you should try to keep your thermostat set to 72 F or higher when you are home during the summer. For even better results, install a programmable thermostat that you can set to be even higher during regular intervals where you know you’ll be out of the house. No need to cool the whole house when no one is home!
Use a ceiling fan – believe it or not, ceiling fans can really help improve your air conditioner’s efficiency. While they won’t actually “cool” your house per se, they will help move cooled air around from the AC, meaning the air conditioner doesn’t have to work too hard.
Block out natural heat and light during the day – one of the easiest ways to improve your AC efficiency is to limit the amount of heat that comes into your home. Use drapes, blinds and shutters during the day, especially in rooms that you use less frequently. Your house will absorb less heat and your air conditioner won’t have as much to cool.
If you can’t live without natural light during the day, try installing new windows with a special treatment to block the sun’s heat energy. This is a larger investment than simply closing the drapes (obviously), but it will save you money in the long run.
If you want to increase your AC efficiency with an air conditioner tune up, or if you want any more tips on how to improve your air conditioner efficiency, call Cooper Climate Control Heating & Air Conditioning today!