Most people would agree that summer is the best time of year! School is out, people are taking more vacations, and the weather is sublime. But that doesn’t mean your summer will sail by without incident. In fact, one of the worst things that can happen during summer is your air conditioner going out. There are a few different reasons this could occur, so we’re going to cover some of the most common mistakes people make with their AC that lead to either a broken system or outrageous electric bills.
Neglecting the Air Filters
We’ve stressed the importance of indoor air quality and air filters several times before, but it can’t hurt to remind you one more time. Making sure that you’re swapping your air filters on a regular basis is crucial for your home’s indoor air quality. We recommend going no more than 90 days between new air filters. If you have little kids, pets, or anyone with sensitive allergies, you should swap your filters more frequently.
You can also improve energy efficiency by up to 15 percent just by replacing dirty filters in your air conditioning unit.
Not Updating the Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat plays an important role in your home’s comfort, but if you haven’t upgraded your thermostat in a while, you could be missing out on a wide variety of benefits.
Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat will allow you to set a schedule of when you want your air conditioner to run and when you want it off so that you don’t have to remember to turn it off and on every day.
Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat will learn your schedule so that you don’t even have to adjust the settings. All you’ll need to do is input your desired temperature.
Speaking of the desired temperature, what is the best temperature for your home in the middle of summer? According to the US Department of Energy, the most efficient temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. If you need it a little cooler, feel free to lower your settings, but remember, this will also increase your energy bills.
Using the AC When No One is Home
Another benefit of installing a new thermostat, especially a smart thermostat, is that it will learn your patterns of when you’re at home and when you’re away. That way, you’ll never have to remind yourself to turn the air conditioner off when leaving for work. Your thermostat will already know that you’re gone between 8 am and 5 pm!
Additionally, if there’s a day where your schedule is a little different, and you need to adjust the thermostat from the road, you can do that through an app for most smart thermostat models!
Forgetting About Your Windows
A lot of heat enters and exits through your home’s windows. In fact, your home’s old or poorly installed windows are responsible for about 25% to 30% of your home’s heating and cooling bills—and that’s even when the windows are closed!
When you leave the windows open, it’s far worse. While opening the windows and doors throughout your home is great for ventilation and letting fresh air in, it often leads to higher energy bills if you forget to close them. Only open the windows and doors in the early morning or late evening and always make sure to check all of the windows and doors throughout your home before turning the air conditioner on in the summer, and the same goes for the heat in the winter.
We would also recommend keeping your blinds and curtains closed as well since the sun’s rays alone can heat up a room by a few degrees.
Do you have more questions about air conditioning mistakes to avoid? Contact our team either through our website or by calling us at (844) 256-6800!
