Have you turned on the air conditioning yet in your Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO home? Even if you haven’t, you know this is the start of another cooling season on the Western Slope. Have you prepared by scheduling or completing your annual air conditioning maintenance? Many of you dread the hot weather because of the high electric bills that arrive every month while the A/C unit is keeping your house cool. Climate Control Company has nine things you should know to increase the efficiency of your air conditioner and make those utility bills more manageable:
F-I-L-T-E-R-S
A dirty filter is the quickest way to ruin your A/C’s efficiency. Filters should be changed at least every 90 days but replacing them monthly during the cooling season is cheap insurance. Not only will it assure efficiency, but also prolong the life of your A/C. If you have any confusion about which filter to use as part of your air conditioner maintenance plan, don’t hesitate to call Climate Control.
Don’t put up with leaky ducts
Did you know ducts can lose up to 30 percent of airflow because of leaks? Inspect your ductwork and use foil tape to seal small holes and gaps, and duct mastic for larger ones.
Invest in a programmable thermostat
When used correctly these will cut your monthly air conditioning costs. There’s no reason to keep the A/C unit running full blast when the house is empty. Keeping the temperature just a few degrees warmer while you’re at work will save money. HINT—Don’t set the thermostat to turn the A/C way up or off while you are gone. If the house gets too hot the air conditioner has to work really hard to make it comfortable again.
Insulate, Insulate, Insulate
Do you have any idea how hot it gets in your attic during the summer? If there’s any ductwork up there it can ruin the efficiency of your air conditioner if it’s not properly insulated. You can use spray foam, batt insulation, or rigid-foam insulation.
Keep it clear
The outside compressor for your A/C must have good air ventilation to ensure efficient operation. It’s critical to keep at least two feet of clear space. Make sure shrubs, tall grass, and hanging branches are kept trimmed. Remove any lawn debris and grass clippings.
Reduce the cooling demand
There are simple steps you can take to make sure your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard:
- Close blinds and shades during the day.
- Install awnings to shield windows from direct sunlight.
- Use ceiling fans to circulate the cooled air.
While it’s technically not air conditioning maintenance, steps like these can extend the life of your A/C unit.
Annual tune-ups are key
While there are many steps a homeowner can take, they do NOT alleviate the need for professional air conditioning maintenance. This should be scheduled now, before the cooling season starts. Our trained Climate Control technicians can take care of all the things you can’t do:
- Clean & inspect coils
- Condensate line
- Check refrigerant level & pressures
- Electrical connections
Airflow is critical to the efficiency of your air conditioner
Do not shut your interior doors except as needed. When too many doors are closed, it causes central A/C units to go out of balance, affecting airflow in the entire house. The same thing applies to closing vents to rooms that are not in use. It actually does more harm than good.
Consider upgrading
If you are serious about cutting monthly bills, you may need to consider a replacement. No amount of air conditioning maintenance is going to improve the efficiency of your air conditioner beyond its design limits. New A/C units can often help cut your monthly cooling costs.
Climate Control Company is here to help
Let’s work together to make sure your cooling system is ready for the long hot summer. Call and schedule air conditioning maintenance for your Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO before the hot sun starts beating down relentlessly. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay informed about the latest trends in heating and cooling.
