Want to Stay Cool This Summer? Here Are Some Steps to Take

Were you aware that 5% of all of the electricity produced in the United States is used to keep air conditioners running? That’s quite a bit of cool air.

When the weather is hot or you just want to keep the air inside your home circulating, it’s important to make sure that your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is functioning optimally. When these units aren’t installed correctly, their efficiency can be reduced up to 30%. In addition to paying higher utility bills, you may need to purchase a new HVAC sooner than you planned. This is because improper installation can actually shorten your HVAC’s lifespan.

Another way to ensure that your HVAC system is in good working order is to change the filters regularly. Whether you have an HVAC, an AC unit, or both, recommends that you should change your filters once a month or every 3 months. It does depend, however, on how often you use this system. When you’re running it 24/7, chances are that it would be a good idea to change it monthly. It may also be a good idea to change it this often when you live in an area where there’s lots of dust, pollen, and other air-born debris.

Your home also needs to be well-insulated in order for your HVAC system to perform well. If your attic isn’t finished or properly insulated, your cool air can seep out and the hot air will seep in. Furthermore, if your doors don’t have weather stripping, your windows let in drafts, and there are other types of cracks or crevices where air can pass through, these, too, will negatively impact your HVAC unit’s efficiency. When you take care of these issues, however, your energy use should reduce by 30%

If you currently need cooling repair, you can ask your cooling repair service about the benefits of having a new high-efficiency air conditioner installed. When your house is well-insulated, and you engage in other measures to keep your home cool, a high-efficiency system can reduce your air conditioning energy use and costs. Recent figures show that this can be between 20% to 50%, which is substantial.

Since you want to ensure that your HVAC or AC unit is able to perform the way it’s designed, be sure to discuss maintenance requirements with your HVAC service representative. This is particularly important if you just purchased a new high-efficiency system with which you may not be as familiar. These new systems aren’t anything like the old clunky version you just recycled after your cooling repair service installed your new system.