How To Quickly Ease The Workload On Your Air Conditioner
When the weather is hot, your home's air conditioner will be working full speed to keep your indoor air cool. Because of the extra workload, you need to take some precautions to ensure your air conditioner continues to function properly during the hot weather season. Here are some things you can to help ease the strain on your air conditioner until you need a new air conditioning installation:
Turn Up the Thermostat
If you are gone throughout the day, turn your thermostat up a few degrees before you leave the house. This will help give your air conditioner a well-deserved break while you are away. Do not turn the thermostat up too high, or the air may not be comfortable when you get home. This will only cancel out the point of turning the temperature up in the first place, as the system will have to work really hard to cool the house to a comfortable temperature.
To make this process easier, consider installing a programmable thermostat. You can set the thermostat to automatically increase and decrease at your desired time. You may want to invest in a smart thermostat you can control through your home's wireless network. You can then change the temperature from anywhere in the world.
Be Sure Your Air Filters are Clean
Another way to help ease the burden on the air conditioner is to make sure it always has a clean air filter. You should be changing or cleaning the air filters monthly, but you may want to check them more frequently during the hot months. If the air filter is dirty, the system can become clogged, making the HVAC work even harder than necessary.
Remove Extra Sources of Heat in the House
When the air in your home is hot, the thermostat will cycle on to reduce the temperature to your desired level. Parts of your home may be holding more heat in some areas, causing your air conditioner to work more often. You can remedy this problem by eliminating the hot spots in your home. Close the blinds and curtains on windows during the hottest parts of the day. This will help radiant heat from getting in through the glass. If your home does not have any shade, consider planting some fast-growing trees to help create some shade. Be sure your attic is properly insulated, or the heat can escape inside the home through the air vents. Make sure your duct work is not torn or leaking. Also, consider how often you cook with the oven and stove. If your kitchen seems hotter in the warmer months, reduce the amount of time the oven is on, or you will increase the temperature even more.