As the weather gets hotter in California, you rely more and more on your home’s air conditioner. Over time, you may notice that your utility bills keep rising as you try to keep your home cool and comfortable. Just because it’s hot doesn’t mean you should have to break the bank to stay comfortable. These tips can help you maximize your energy efficiency without forfeiting comfort.
Get Annual Maintenance Service
It’s important to schedule professional maintenance from a licensed HVAC technician for your system. You should schedule this in the spring months so that your system can be prepared to take on the hot months ahead. This maintenance service will include things like lubricating moving parts to help ensure that every part of your air conditioning system is working at its most efficient level.
Invest in a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is a great investment for any homeowner looking to be more energy efficient. This thermostat allows you to program different temperatures depending on the time of the day and the day of the week. This can allow you to better optimize how often your cooling system turns on. Furthermore, newer smart thermostats will monitor your energy usage and provide you with suggested eco-friendly options that can lower your energy usage.
Upgrade to a More Energy-Efficient Model
If your current air conditioning system is over 10 years old, then it’s high time to consider an upgrade. Newer air conditioning systems offer peak efficiency levels that are unheard of with older units. In general, the higher the SEER rating an air conditioner has, the more energy efficient it will be.
Keep Up With Regular Filter Changes
One of the biggest efficiency killers of air conditioning systems is a dirty air filter. When your filter reaches the end of its lifespan, it will be so full of airborne debris that your air conditioning system will struggle to pull air through it. You should check your air filter at least once a month and have spare filters on hand so that you can easily replace a dirty filter when necessary. It’s typically recommended that you change your filter every three months, but if you notice your filter gets dirty quicker than that, you should change it as often as necessary.
Keep Air Vents Clear
All the air vents throughout your home need to remain unobstructed for your air conditioning system to operate at its peak efficiency level. If you close any of your vents, it will alter the pressure in your system and cause it to be less efficient. Furthermore, if you have any items, like furniture or plants obstructing a vent, it will struggle to deliver adequate cold air to that room. It’s a good idea to check all your vents at the beginning of the cooling season to ensure that there are no obstructions in their way.
Check Your Outdoor Unit Regularly
For your air conditioning system to disperse the heat from inside your home, its outdoor condenser unit needs to have adequate airflow. Unfortunately, heavy wind gusts from nasty thunderstorms can cause leaves and other debris to get pushed up against the side of your unit and restrict its airflow. It’s a good rule of thumb to check your condenser unit after each major storm and clear away any debris that could be restricting its airflow.
Seal Up Air Leaks
With a combination of expansion and contraction alongside your home settling into the ground, unwanted air gaps can develop around your doors and windows. These gaps can allow hot air from the outside to seep into your home and decrease the efficiency of your air conditioning system. You should check around all your doors and windows and seal up any leaks that you find with caulking, weather stripping, or other sealant materials. Also, be sure to check for air leaks at your receptacles and light switches on all your exterior walls. Use a specialized film insert behind the cover plate to help seal off those leaks.
Ventilate Your Attic
While you might not give it much thought in the summertime, your attic can play a significant role in the overall temperature inside your home. Whenever your attic isn’t properly ventilated, it can reach hot and humid temperatures up to 150° Fahrenheit. It’s a good idea to add ventilation to your attic so that hot air doesn’t get trapped and forced down into your home.
Expert AC Service
Cencal Mechanical Heating & Air, Inc. offers expert AC service for the entire Modesto, CA area. We can also assist with all of your heating, indoor air quality, thermostat, water heater, commercial, heat pump, and ductless mini-split needs. Give us a call today to schedule your next service appointment.
