8 Big Mistakes You're Making With Your Home AC Unit

1. All-time summer season heat records keep buckling under the weight of increasing international temps-- a trend that strikes home, literally and figuratively, when you get your regular monthly a/c expense. Mistakes you're making with your home A/C might be damaging its performance, efficiency, and security, professionals say. If you have a severely maintained system, it can become contaminated with bacteria that may be hazardous if breathed in. Common signs are asthma problems and allergic reactions. Here are 8 of the most typical mistakes individuals make when it concerns home Air Conditioner, and some basic modifications that can save your lungs and wallet. # 1. You Aren't Changing or Cleaning Your Air Conditioning Filters At a minimum, you need to be altering the filter on your central A/C system once every 3 months-- and as often as once a month if your system is running all the time. Disregard this task, and a filthy filter can result in poor air circulation or freezing up of your system's evaporator coil, says James Braun, a teacher of engineering and director of the Center for High Efficiency Structures at Purdue University. A filthy filter might add 5% to 15% to your Air Conditioner bill, and will reduce the lifespan of your entire system. Replacement filters are quite low-cost-- typically less than $10. If you have ductless "split" AC systems, there need to be a detachable panel on your system that will allow you to rub out the filter with a rag-- no replacement required. # 2. You're Not Having Your System Serviced Each Year You could look up air conditioning specialists toronto online video tutorials about cleaning your Air Conditioning unit's coils and fins-- required upkeep operations that keep your system up and running effectively. You might also bring in a professional to service your system once a year. The U.S. Department of Energy offers some tips when looking for Air Conditioning service professionals. # 3. You Do not Have a Programmable Thermostat Possibly you're one of those super-humans who constantly keeps in mind to change the thermostat before leaving your home. If you're like the rest of us, a programmable thermostat can save you hundreds on your yearly Air Conditioning expense by automatically raising the temperature at those times of day when you're at work or away from home. More recent phone-controllable "clever" thermostats make shows even simpler. # 4. You're Setting Your Thermostat Too Low

2. Research reveals the human body can adapting to hot or cool temperatures quite quickly-- like within a week or more. When you consider you'll cut up to 3% off your AC expense for every degree you raise the temperature-- not to discuss the possible environmental advantages of decreasing your AC usage-- it's worth sweating through that adjustment period and setting your thermostat somewhere in the high 70s (or greater if you can handle it). # 5. You're Not Taking Full Benefit of Fans Any kind of fan, however especially ceiling fans, can assist keep cool air circulating throughout your house. That eliminates some of the burden from your A/C system. Simply make certain your ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise throughout the summer season, which promotes higher air flow. # 6. Your Thermostat and/or Vents Are Poorly Positioned If the sun or a nearby light blasts your thermostat for big chunks of the day, that might throw off its readings and cause it to crank your Air Conditioning although your location is happily cool. Specifically if you're away during the day, you might not recognize your system is working overtime due to a misplaced thermostat. Obstructing Air Conditioner vents with furnishings or drapes can likewise limit air flow. Unless you invest a great deal of time huddled under your couch, you'll wish to be sure your AC vents are unblocked. # 7. You're Cooling Empty Spaces If Air Conditioning vents are open in every space of your home, you're chilling a lot of realty that might not be in usage on a day-to-day basis. Walk and close those A/C vents that open onto empty rooms. Closing closet doors guarantees those spaces aren't swallowing your cold air. # 8. You Do not Have Blinds Or Curtains Brilliant sunlight is your A/C system's bane. By closing blinds and moving curtains to obstruct the sun's rays, you'll also protect your area from the sun's heat, specialists state. http://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=HVAC