With warmer weather in Viera, FL, comes the need for cooling. That will mean higher energy bills, especially if you aren’t using your air conditioner efficiently. Here’s how to use your AC system this spring without breaking the bank.
Schedule Regular AC Maintenance
Failure to maintain your air conditioner regularly results in reduced energy efficiency. The system may develop problems, such as leaking ductwork, that causes the loss of conditioned air. These problems force your system to work more than it should and increases your monthly energy bills.
They may also reduce the system’s service life and force you to replace it prematurely. Through maintenance, you also get to inspect for potential clogs. Whenever your AC draws unconditioned air from outside, it also pulls in pollutant particles.
With time, these particles accumulate and clog the ductwork. They affect the airflow and promote wear and tear of components, which leads to frequent breakdowns. They’re not only expensive to repair but may occur when you most need the system.
However, with regular maintenance, the system gets a thorough inspection and test to identify all possible issues before they turn to emergency calls. Now that spring is here, contact your service technician for proper maintenance to keep the AC system in top shape.
Change the Air Filters
If you’re using disposable filters, remember to change them monthly. If neglected, they could clog with dirt and restrict airflow. They could also allow some of them into your home and lower the indoor air quality.
When this happens, it overworks your system and causes failures that are expensive to repair. You could also upgrade to a more efficient air filtration system that improves the system’s performance.
Minimize Heat-Producing Activities
Several home activities may contribute to extra heat, such as baking. These activities force your air conditioner to work overtime, consuming more energy. Refraining from them will ensure that you don’t incur more expenses.
Avoid Changing the Thermostat Setting Too Many Times
If you have the older manual thermostat mode, avoid changing its setting constantly. Just set the thermostat at a comfortable and consistent temperature. That’s because too many changes lead to increased energy usage.
You can also upgrade to a programmable thermostat. Using this type of thermostat is one most effective ways of saving energy. It can learn and automatically adjust temperature settings accordingly.
For example, the thermostat learns your schedule and preferences and adjusts the temperatures when you leave for work. It also allows remote control via a mobile app on your smartphone or computer. Using it, you can set the temperatures a few minutes before you return from work.
Check the Humidity Levels
Apart from cooling your home, check the humidity levels. High humidity promotes the growth of microbes and damages your home equipment such as wooden floors and furniture. Such damage may affect your budget with unexpected repairs and replacements.
With warmer temperatures come high humidity levels. To prevent potential problems, invest in a dehumidifier.
Utilize Your Ceiling Fan
Using a ceiling fan, you can maximize your comfort while minimizing energy consumption. It helps push the cool air from the vents to all parts of your room. It also creates a cool breeze and reduces your dependence on the air conditioner.
Although a fan doesn’t reduce temperatures, it improves the efficiency of your AC system. Running a ceiling fan costs a lot less than blasting the air conditioner all day.
Don’t Close Many Vents
If you don’t have a zoned system but want to direct the cold air to other hotter rooms, close one or two vents. However, closing too many vents negatively impacts your AC system. Remember that closing vents doesn’t reduce your bills but only concentrates cold air where you need it most.
The tips above are a few among many that can help you curb your expenses. For more information about AC maintenance, contact Merritt Island Air & Heat.
Image provided by iStock
