5 Mistakes You’re Making with Your Air Conditioner
Making mistakes when it comes to your air conditioner affects how efficiently it runs, how effective it does its job and how safe it is. Mistakes affect your wallet too. Here are the five most common mistakes you are making with your air conditioner that could be costing you more.
- Not Scheduling Regular HVAC Maintenance Appointments
Even if your air conditioner is working well, regular HVAC maintenance appointments are a must. They can help lower your energy bill, increase the life of your HVAC system and prevent or address repairs before they get too costly.
It is imperative to have your HVAC system checked by a professional twice a year (in the spring before using the air conditioner for the first time and in the fall before using the furnace for the first time). Even if everything is working well, this kind of preventive maintenance is important for the life of your HVAC system, addressing any issues before they turn into expensive repairs or replacements. - You Are Not Using a Programmable Thermostat
Why have the air conditioner running all day, keeping your house cool when you are not here? By using a programmable thermostat, you can program it to automatically adjust the temperature while you are out of the house (e.g., at work). That also means you don’t have to remember to change the temperature before leaving your house. You can even get a programmable thermostat that you can adjust remotely through your smartphone. Even better news? Programmable thermostats save you money too, helping you avoid wasting money on keeping an empty house cool. - Your Temperatures are Set Too Low
We all have our preferred thermostat setting. But if you could save money by raising the temperature in your home, even just a degree or two, would you do it? With time, your body would adjust, and you will enjoy the lower air conditioning bills too. - Not Changing Your Air Filter Regularly
Depending on the type of air filter you use and how much your system runs, it is best to clean or replace it every 30-90 days. A dirty air filter restricts airflow and causes your air conditioner (and your entire HVAC system) to work harder, not as efficiently as possible. It is also harder to remove pollutants from your home’s indoor air (think contaminants like dust mites, mold, pet dander, dead skin, allergens, viruses and more). - You Don’t Use Window Treatments
Close blinds and curtains to prevent sunlight from warming up your space and making your air conditioner work more.
Fix these mistakes, and you will lower your air conditioning bill in no time!
For more information on air conditioning, including types of air conditioners, maintenance, common problems and lowering your cooling costs, check out this infographic from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Stiles Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing can advise you on the best air filters to use, installing a programmable thermostat and more to help lower your air conditioning bill. Contact us for more information or to schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment.
