September 21, 2017
Having regular maintenance on your AC is essential for keeping costs low as well as extending the life of your HVAC system.
Summertime can be extremely taxing on your air conditioner and your wallet. The best way to make sure that you are minimizing the damage to both is to make sure that you are doing everything possible to make your air conditioning run as efficiently and as smoothly as possible. There are things that you can do to enhance the way that your air conditioner runs that cost very little, but can have a profitable return.
Replace Your Thermostat
If you have a traditional thermostat, then you aren’t using your HVAC system as efficiently as you should. New smart thermostats are the best way to manage the temperature and conditions inside your home. They have better sensors than traditional thermostats to communicate with your units; they even consult local weather forecasts. It is estimated that upgrading to a smart thermostat can save you as much as ten percent off of your overall energy bill a year.
Make Sure Your filters are Clean
When your HVAC filters get dirty or clogged, they decrease the flow of air and increase the amount of work that your HVAC units are doing. Make sure to change the filters at least once a month to keep air circulating freely and to stop your units from having to work harder to push air.
Keep a Steady Flow of Air
Sometimes enhancing your air conditioner’s ability is as simple as opening up the registers and leaving doors open to allow for good airflow and circulation. It is just as important to circulate hot air as it is for the air conditioner to put out cool. Sometimes limiting the circulation of flow around the house can keep warm air trapped or stop cool air from getting where it needs to be. A more balanced home is a much more energy efficient one.
Call a St. Louis HVAC Professional
Homeowners sometimes make the mistake of thinking that if something isn’t obviously broken it doesn’t need fixing. Having regular maintenance on your air conditioner is essential for keeping costs low as well as extending the life of your air conditioner unit. Also, if you see any of these signs it just might be a signal that something isn’t right and your unit needs to be examined:
- Different temperatures from room to room
- Sudden low air movement or pressure
- Humidity in the house even when the air conditioner is running
- Cold or hot spots against the wall
- Significant difference in your energy usage
Keeping your house cool this summer is not an inexpensive proposition. If you already are conscious about keeping the thermostat set at a reasonable temperature, then it might behoove you to have a St. Louis HVAC technician evaluate your home to ensure not just that everything is running smoothly, but also that there aren’t any upgrades you can make. A new system or upgrade might cost you up front, but in the long run, it could end up saving you a whole lot on your overall energy costs.