On the hottest and most humid days of summer, you may regularly succumb to the temptation to turn the air conditioning down as low as the unit can go. However, this action could put unnecessary stress on the unit and lead to the premature demise of your home’s air conditioner. Learn how to stay cool and comfortable while using your home’s air conditioner in a more moderate fashion.
Turn up the Temperature
One easy solution is to simply see if you feel comfortable at a slightly higher temperature. The optimal temperature for your home depends on a few factors, including any medical conditions that family members may have. By consulting with both a medical professional and one of our technicians, you can learn about a more ideal temperature setting for your home.
Open the Windows
Another easy way to remove some of the stress from your home’s air conditioner is to open up the windows on more mild days. A nice breeze on a late spring day or early summer evening cools the house down by a surprising amount.
Cover the Windows
On the other hand, when the temperatures are soaring, you should keep the curtains drawn, especially during the hottest and sunniest parts of the day. Otherwise, the air conditioner will have to fight against the strength of the sun’s rays. You can explore energy-efficient window coverings for an extra boost of comfort.
Run the Fan
A cool breeze coupled with a high-powered ceiling fan can feel delightful and allows the air conditioner to have a break. This cool strategy could be particularly useful for a home extension, such as a sunroom.
Get a New Air Conditioner
Your air conditioner may not be performing up to its highest potential due to the age of the unit. In other words, the air conditioner’s worn condition may be forcing the unit to work overtime to keep up with the cooling demands of the house. This situation can lead to higher energy bills as well. While the price of a new air conditioner might seem out of budget at first, note that you can see substantial savings in your monthly bills.
Repair the Air Conditioner
Your home’s air conditioner may simply need repairs instead of a full replacement. Even an issue that seems relatively insignificant could affect the unit’s functionality. If the air conditioner is experiencing an issue, the unit may need to use more energy to work than it would if it were fully functioning. A technician can diagnose the problem and discuss ways to avoid the same issue from happening again in the future.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure that an air conditioner is performing at its optimal capacity. Failure to have regular maintenance done could even put you in violation of the unit’s warranty. During a maintenance visit, our technicians will thoroughly inspect your system, clean essential components, and identify any potential issues before they become major problems. This proactive approach helps to extend the lifespan of your air conditioner and maintain its efficiency, ultimately saving you money on energy bills and repairs.
Opt for Zone Cooling
Whether you’re getting an entirely new system or are interested in upgrades, zone cooling can help when it comes to energy efficiency. With a zone system, you don’t need to keep your entire house at the same temperature. For example, the first and second stories could be different zones. Instead of keeping the thermostat lower to meet the demands of the second story, which typically requires more energy to cool than the first floor, you can simply adjust each zone to the appropriate temperature.
Get a Smart System
Having more control over the air conditioner typically helps when it comes to conserving energy and preserving the cooling unit. A smart system grants you remote access to your home’s air conditioning system. For example, in the past, if you left the house for vacation without turning up the thermostat, the air conditioner would have to run at that degree until you returned home.
With a smart system, you can simply fix the mistake from the road. You also don’t have to leave the air conditioner running at full blast when you’re out at work. Before you leave the office, simply adjust the temperature on your phone so the home is comfortable when you arrive. You can also use your phone to adjust the temperature for your pets throughout the day.
Use Programming Features
Even if you don’t have or currently can’t upgrade to a smart system, you can still control the temperature by using the unit’s programming feature. Rather than keeping the air conditioner on full blast throughout the night, you can set the thermostat to your desired temperature for the morning, especially if you prefer a slightly warmer house while you sleep. One of our technicians can explain how to use the air conditioner’s programming features to you.
Consider Appliance Usage
Maybe you’ve noticed that your house gets considerably warmer in the evening after you’ve cooked dinner and run the plates through the dishwasher. Using the oven can certainly make parts of the home hotter. The dishwasher could even cause the kitchen to become more humid.
Consider cooking lighter meals that can be made on the stovetop, which will have a significantly smaller effect on the home’s temperature than the oven. You could invest in some environmentally friendly disposable plates or try washing the dishes by hand on particularly hot days. Aim to be more conservative with the washing machine as well. This appliance can also make the home more humid.
Check Your Lightbulbs
Certain types of lighting, such as incandescent bulbs, can make the house hotter. Simply replacing the lightbulbs can have a cooling effect on the home. Do keep in mind that not all lightbulbs are safe for all fixtures. Using the wrong lightbulb in a fixture could actually lead to a fire. Check that the bulbs are safe for the fixtures before making the switch. You can also give reminders to family members to turn off the lights when they leave a room, which helps to save energy in multiple ways.
When you want your home’s air conditioner to function more efficiently while still feeling cool and comfortable at home, Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas in Nanaimo is here to help. We take pride in our customer-focused services. Our team also serves many of the areas surrounding Nanaimo, including Cassidy, Crofton, Nanoose Bay, and more.
Our qualified staff can diagnose issues with your current air conditioner, perform AC maintenance, and help you explore more energy-efficient options for a new home cooling system. Our other services include plumbing and commercial gasfitting, heating, and indoor air quality. Make sure to ask about our financing program and the Comfort Club. To schedule an appointment to improve the functionality of your home air conditioning, contact Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas today.
