There are few things worse than waiting for your air conditioner to start only to find out it’s not working. It’s better to find out if your system needs some extra attention before the height of summer is upon you. Plus, a little maintenance and preventative care will help you save money over the heavy usage summer months. Maintaining temperature control in their home is one of the largest energy expenses in the budget of most American households. Trying to manage summer utility costs when the temperatures climb toward triple digits can be difficult. Before you realize it, your air conditioner will seem like it’s running around the clock just to keep the temperature comfortable, which can mean hefty utility bills all summer long.
5 Ways to Cut Your Summer Cooling Costs
We’ve compiled a list of several maintenance steps you can take now to improve the efficiency of your air conditioner and save money on your summer cooling costs.
- Clean the exposed parts of your AC system: Some of the vital parts that comprise your AC unit are exposed to the elements. While your system hibernates during the winter, it’s easy for all types of muck to attach to your system and cause problems. Outdoor elements like dust, dirt, and debris can bog down your system and cause it to operate inefficiently. You can use a cover to protect your system from soiling and weather damages, but if you’ve not been doing that, you can clean it by turning off the circuits to your unit and spraying it down with a garden hose to remove the dirt and grime. If your system is heavily soiled, you may need to call your local AC maintenance team.
- Start with new filters: Start the season off with a fresh and clean filter. It’s one of the easiest and most effective means of AC maintenance you can do for your system. During high usage periods, you should change your filter every couple of months to ensure optimal performance.
- Check your condensation lines: There’s a pipe that drains the condensation from your air conditioner, but it can become clogged. When the pipe is blocked, the obstruction will cause the drainage to be pushed back into the AC system and eventually into your home. Check the line and make sure you see evidence of drainage.
- Use a programmable thermostat for automation: You have a better chance of achieving climate control and stabilizing your energy spending by setting temperature controls. Programmable settings allow for preset changes to your thermostat to prevent cycling the appliance when you don’t need it because you’re away from home.
- Inspect your ductwork: Your ductwork could be leaking energy. If you have a leak, as much as 20% of your conditioned air could be escaping into the ether, meaning your system would have to work twice as hard to make up the difference over the span of each day. Ductwork is susceptible to tears and small holes, so look for cooling leaks and seal them with ductwork tape.
Call us today at (530) 223-5622 for more information about our services.
