8 Big Errors You're Making With Your Home AC System

1. All-time summer heat records keep buckling under the weight of rising worldwide temperatures-- a trend that hits house, actually and figuratively, when you receive your month-to-month cooling expense. Mistakes you're making with your home A/C might be undercutting its efficiency, effectiveness, and safety, professionals state. If you have a severely maintained system, it can become infected with bacteria that might be damaging if breathed in. Typical symptoms are asthma problems and allergic reactions. Here are eight of the most common mistakes people make when it pertains to home A/C, and some basic changes that can save your lungs and wallet. # 1. You Aren't Altering or Cleaning Your AC Filters At a minimum, you must be altering the filter on your main AC unit as soon as every 3 months-- and as frequently as when a month if your system is running all the time. Overlook this air conditioning service edmonton task, and an unclean filter can cause poor air flow or freezing up of your unit's evaporator coil, says James Braun, a teacher of engineering and director of the Center for High Performance Buildings at Purdue University. A dirty filter could add 5% to 15% to your AC bill, and will shorten the life expectancy of your whole system. Luckily, replacement filters are pretty low-cost-- normally less than $10. If you have ductless "split" AC systems, there ought to be a detachable panel on your system that will enable you to rub out the filter with a rag-- no replacement needed. # 2. You're Not Having Your System Serviced Every Year You could look up online video tutorials about cleaning your Air Conditioner unit's coils and fins-- essential maintenance operations that keep your system up and running efficiently. You could likewise bring in a pro 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 Don't Have a Programmable Thermostat Possibly you're one of those super-humans who always keeps in mind to adjust the thermostat before leaving your home. If you're like the rest of us, a programmable thermostat can conserve you hundreds on your annual A/C expense by automatically raising the temp at those times of day when you're at work or away from house. More recent phone-controllable "wise" thermostats make programming even simpler. # 4. You're Setting Your Thermostat Too Low

2. Research shows the body can adapting to hot or cool temperatures quite quickly-- like within a week or 2. When you consider you'll cut up to 3% off your Air Conditioning costs for each degree you raise the temperature-- not to mention the prospective environmental advantages of decreasing your AC usage-- it's worth sweating through that change period and setting your thermostat somewhere in the high 70s (or greater if you can handle it). # 5. You're Not Making The Most Of Fans Any type of fan, however especially ceiling fans, can help keep one's cool air distributing throughout your home. That gets rid of some of the burden from your Air Conditioning 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 Inadequately Positioned If the sun or a nearby lamp blasts your thermostat for big portions of the day, that could throw off its readings and cause it to crank your A/C although your location is pleasantly cool. Especially if you're away throughout the day, you may not recognize your system is working overtime due to a lost thermostat. Blocking A/C vents with furniture or drapes can also restrict air flow. Unless you invest a lot of time huddled under your couch, you'll wish to make sure your Air Conditioning vents are unobstructed. # 7. You're Cooling Empty Spaces If Air Conditioner vents are open in every room of your house, you're chilling a great deal of genuine estate that may not be in use on a day-to-day basis. Walk and close those A/C vents that open onto unoccupied rooms. Likewise, closing closet doors makes sure those spaces aren't swallowing your cold air. # 8. You Don't Have Blinds Or Curtains Bright sunlight is your Air Conditioning system's bane. By closing blinds and sliding curtains to block the sun's rays, you'll also protect your space from the sun's heat, experts say.