8 Big Mistakes You're Making With Your Home AC

1. All-time summertime heat records keep buckling under the weight of rising international temps-- a pattern that strikes house, literally and figuratively, when you get your monthly a/c bill. Errors you're making with your home AC might be undercutting its efficiency, effectiveness, and safety, experts state. If you have a badly kept system, it can become infected with bacteria that may be damaging if inhaled. Typical signs are asthma issues and allergies. Here are eight of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to house AC, and some simple adjustments that can save your lungs and wallet. # 1. You Aren't Altering or Cleaning Your Air Conditioner Filters At a minimum, you should be altering the filter on your main A/C system once every 3 months-- and as often as when a month if your system is running all the time. Overlook this task, and an unclean filter can lead to poor air circulation or freezing up of your unit's evaporator coil, says James Braun, a professor of engineering and director of the Center for High Performance Structures at Purdue University. An unclean filter might add 5% to 15% to your Air Conditioning bill, and will reduce the lifespan of your entire system. Replacement filters are quite cheap-- generally less than $10. If you have ductless "split" A/C units, there ought to be a removable panel on your system that will permit you to rub out the air conditioner toronto filter with a rag-- no replacement needed. # 2. You're Not Having Your System Serviced Yearly You could search for online video tutorials about cleaning your Air Conditioner system's coils and fins-- needed maintenance operations that keep your system up and running efficiently. You might also bring in a professional to service your system once a year. The U.S. Department of Energy provides some suggestions when searching for AC service specialists. # 3. You Don't Have a Programmable Thermostat Maybe you are among those super-humans who constantly keeps in mind to change the thermostat prior to leaving the home. However if you resemble the rest people, a programmable thermostat can save you hundreds on your yearly Air Conditioning costs by instantly raising the temp at those times of day when you're at work or away from home. Newer phone-controllable "clever" thermostats make programs even simpler. # 4. You're Setting Your Thermostat Too Low Research study reveals the body is capable of adjusting to hot or cool temperature levels quite quickly-- like

2. 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 level-- not to point out the prospective environmental advantages of decreasing your Air Conditioner usage-- it's worth sweating through that modification period and setting your thermostat somewhere in the high 70s (or higher if you can manage it). # 5. You're Not Maximizing Fans Any kind of fan, however especially ceiling fans, can help keep cool air distributing throughout your home. That gets rid of some of the burden from your A/C system. Just be sure your ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise throughout the summer season, which promotes higher air flow. # 6. Your Thermostat and/or Vents Are Badly Positioned If the sun or a neighboring light blasts your thermostat for big portions of the day, that might shake off its readings and cause it to crank your A/C although your place is pleasantly cool. Specifically if you're away throughout the day, you may not understand your system is working overtime due to a lost thermostat. Blocking Air Conditioner vents with furnishings or curtains can also limit air blood circulation. Unless you spend a lot of time gathered under your couch, you'll wish to be sure your Air Conditioning vents are unobstructed. # 7. You're Cooling Empty Spaces If AC vents are open in every room of your home, you're cooling a great deal of real estate that might not be in usage on an everyday basis. Walk and close those AC vents that open onto unoccupied rooms. Also, closing closet doors makes sure those spaces aren't swallowing your cold air. # 8. You Do not Have Blinds Or Curtains Bright sunlight is your Air Conditioning system's nemesis. By closing blinds and sliding curtains to obstruct the sun's rays, you'll likewise protect your space from the sun's heat, experts state.