8 Big Mistakes You're Making With Your Home AC Unit

1. All-time summer heat records keep buckling under the weight of increasing global temps-- a trend that strikes house, literally and figuratively, when you get your regular monthly a/c expense. Regrettably, errors you're making with your home Air Conditioning might be damaging its performance, efficiency, and safety, professionals state. If you have a badly maintained system, it can become polluted with bacteria that may be hazardous if inhaled. Common signs are asthma issues and allergies. Here are hvac contractors toronto 8 of the most typical errors individuals make when it comes to home A/C, and some basic changes that can save your lungs and wallet. # 1. You Aren't Altering or Cleaning Your Air Conditioning Filters At a minimum, you ought to be altering the filter on your central AC system as soon as every 3 months-- and as frequently as when a month if your system is running all the time. Overlook this task, and an unclean filter can lead to poor air flow or freezing up of your system's evaporator coil, says James Braun, a teacher of engineering and director of the Center for High Performance Buildings at Purdue University. A filthy filter might include 5% to 15% to your Air Conditioning costs, and will reduce the life expectancy of your whole system. Replacement filters are quite low-cost-- usually less than $10. If you have ductless "split" Air Conditioner units, there must be a removable panel on your system that will permit you to wipe off the filter with a rag-- no replacement required. # 2. You're Not Having Your System Serviced Each Year You might look up online video tutorials about cleaning your Air Conditioner system's coils and fins-- required maintenance operations that keep your system up and running effectively. You could also generate a professional to service your system once a year. The U.S. Department of Energy offers some suggestions when browsing for A/C service contractors. # 3. You Do not Have a Programmable Thermostat Maybe you're one of those super-humans who always remembers to change the thermostat prior to leaving your house. If you're like the rest of us, a programmable thermostat can conserve you hundreds on your yearly AC expense by automatically raising the temp at those times of day when you're at work or away from house. More recent phone-controllable "smart" thermostats make shows even easier. # 4. You're Setting Your Thermostat Too Low Research reveals the body is capable of adapting to hot or cool temperatures quite quickly-- like within a week or

2. two. When you consider you'll cut up to 3% off your Air Conditioning bill for every single degree you raise the temperature level-- not to discuss the potential environmental advantages of lowering your AC usage-- it's worth sweating through that modification duration and setting your thermostat someplace in the high 70s (or greater if you can handle it). # 5. You're Not Maximizing Fans Any type of fan, however especially ceiling fans, can help keep one's cool air circulating throughout your home. That eliminates some of the concern from your Air Conditioning system. Just be sure your ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise during the summer, which promotes greater air circulation. # 6. Your Thermostat and/or Vents Are Badly Placed If the sun or a close-by lamp blasts your thermostat for huge portions of the day, that might throw off its readings and cause it to crank your Air Conditioner even though your place is pleasantly cool. Particularly if you're away throughout the day, you may not recognize your system is working overtime due to a lost thermostat. Obstructing AC vents with furniture or drapes can also restrict air flow. Unless you invest a lot of time gathered under your sofa, you'll wish to make certain your Air Conditioner vents are unobstructed. # 7. You're Cooling Empty Spaces If Air Conditioning vents are open in every room of your home, you're chilling a great deal of realty that may not be in usage on a daily basis. Walk and close those A/C vents that open onto unoccupied rooms. Also, closing closet doors ensures those spaces aren't swallowing your cold air. # 8. You Do not Have Blinds Or Curtains Bright sunlight is your Air Conditioner system's nemesis. By closing blinds and sliding curtains to block the sun's rays, you'll also shield your area from the sun's heat, specialists say. http://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=HVAC