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How To Maximize Your A/C Efficiency
Michigan is heating up! With temperatures rising and humidity still at Spring levels, we’re all reaching for the thermostat and cranking up the A/C. While nobody’s missing those sub-zero winter temperatures, we all need a bit of relief from the heat outside – without emptying our wallets! With that in mind, here are a few ways to maximize your A/C efficiency this summer and save money on your energy bill.
Tips for Running Your A/C Efficiently
Remove the hot air first
Especially when you’re cooking, venting the hot air from your home will keep your air conditioner from working overtime to cool things down. Before turning on your A/C, open a few windows and position fans so they blow air out rather than in. That way, the hot air starts flowing out before the cooled air begins filtering into your home.
Pay attention to your supply vents
One of the biggest blockages of air flow happens to be one of the biggest things in your home: your sofa! Furniture that sits on top of or in front of air vents blocks cool air from circulating freely. Which would you rather cool down: The back of a recliner or your home’s air? Same with anything conductive that sits in front of air vents: Laundry, books, kids’ toys, etc. Keep your vents clear!
Change your A/C filter
Your A/C filter is your first line of defense against dust and debris from circulating around your home’s air and ductwork. Over time, however, it will get clogged up with accumulated dirt, which will restrict airflow. Change your filter every 3 months to keep your air flowing freely and your air conditioner happy.
Close the blinds
While we all love natural light, it has the unfortunate side effect of bringing even more heat into your home on an already hot day. Keeping the blinds closed will help keep some of that heat out, and drawing the curtains will provide another layer of insulation between the cool air of your home and the hot air outside!
Use your dehumidifier
Let’s face it, Michigan is a humid state! It’s safe to say that 90 degrees in Michigan feels much more oppressive than 90 degrees in a drier place (like Arizona, for instance), and it’s due to all the moisture in the air. If you keep the excess water out of your home’s air, you can set the thermostat higher and it will still feel like a lower temperature! Plus, your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to keep you feeling the same level of cool.
Check your ductwork
Your ductwork is the system that your conditioned air uses to travel throughout your home, and if there’s something blocking the air’s passage or absorbing the cold air, then it’s not functioning efficiently!
In our 50+ years of air duct cleaning, we’ve seen all kinds of things blocking up air ducts: toys, plastic bags, bird nests, and even the occasional dead varmint! Needless to say, a blocked duct isn’t pushing cold air through into your home. The most common thing found in air ducts, however, is dust, and it will absolutely cripple your air conditioner’s efficiency. Dust, debris, and pet hair will soak up cool air on a hot day, meaning you’re paying extra to cool down all the junk inside your ducts instead of your home! Dirty air ducts can cost you hundreds in a single summer in additional energy costs! Those are just a few ways to maximize your A/C efficiency. Follow these tips to help “chill” your energy bill and stay frosty this summer!
Modernistic has been keeping Michigan cool with expert air duct cleaning for over 50 years! Contact us today if you want to maximize your A/C efficiency and stay comfortable this summer.