Nothing beats a fresh breeze during a hot day that will take away your perspiration and make you feel comfortable. But even with the technological advancements of today, there might not be a better way to beat the heat than by using air conditioners.
According to air conditioning Sydney owner James Ghabach, the summer season is the perfect time to break out your air conditioner and cool down. However, using your cooling system improperly can lead to increased energy costs and an uncomfortable home.
Here are the ways you can take care of your air conditioner and prolong its life all summer long.
- Keep your windows and blinds closed during the hottest time of day to trap air conditioning within your home. If possible, open windows at night when it is cooler outdoors. Use window fans for this purpose if you do not have air conditioning.
- When using your air conditioner, keep all doors leading into rooms with the unit closed to keep the cool air contained in that room instead of allowing hot outside air into other parts of the house. This technique will help you save money on energy use by only cooling rooms that are occupied while saving energy costs associated with cooling unoccupied areas like hallways or sitting rooms where there is no one present to enjoy the extra coolness anyway.
- Turn off fans and lights in unoccupied rooms. Lights produce heat that will be felt by the occupants of the room, but also increase the amount of energy required to power your air conditioning unit.
- When you are not at home, turn off your central air conditioning system if possible. If it is too hot outside for this to be an option, consider putting your thermostat on a timer so it can automatically turn off during times when you know no one will be present (like the middle of the day). Many manufacturers offer free installation services for homeowners who want to utilize their programmable timers with their new air conditioners.
- Keep windows and vents open while sleeping or otherwise away from home to create cross-ventilation inside. This reduces the need for your air conditioner to run constantly and can save you money on your energy bill.
- Clean or replace your air filters every month during the summer. Dirty filters will decrease the efficiency of your air conditioner and cause it to work harder than necessary, leading to increased energy use and a higher monthly bill.Â
- If possible, install an attic fan. These fans pull hot air out of the attic and release it outside, which helps keep the entire house cooler.
- Plant trees near your home. Not only do they provide shade in the summertime, but their natural cooling effect will help reduce the amount of energy required to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
- Invest in a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans not only help keep you cool, but they also circulate the air in a room, which can result in less use of your air conditioner.
- Install awnings on your windows to deflect the heat of the sun. This will help keep the inside of your home cooler and reduce the amount of energy required to power your air conditioner.
- Close off any unneeded vents in your home. This will force the cold air to travel through other parts of the house, allowing each room to be cooled more evenly.Â
- If you have central air conditioning, consider using a programmable thermostat so you can set it to turn on and off at certain times during the day when you know no one will be home. This can save you money on your energy bill without having to sacrifice comfort.
- Try using a fan in conjunction with your air conditioner instead of relying solely on the air conditioner to keep you cool. This will allow you to set your thermostat at a higher temperature and still be comfortable, saving you money on your monthly energy bill in the process.
- If you have a pool, use it to cool off instead of turning on the air conditioning. Swimming is a great way to cool down on a hot day and can be just as refreshing as sitting in front of an air conditioner.
- Make sure your air conditioner is in an open space and not surrounded by other objects that could prevent it from cooling your home effectively. This will ensure that the unit is working as efficiently as possible and reduce the amount of energy required to keep your home cool.