We’re grateful that the widespread use of central air conditioning means summers spent at home are not only bearable, but actually quite comfortable. That is, unless an air conditioner just doesn’t work the way you expect it to.
Your air conditioner might not be running up to your standards just yet. Perhaps it doesn’t reach the temperature setting on the thermostat fast enough, or maybe it’s costing you way too much to run each month. But there may be something you can do to make your air conditioner work better than it is right now! Follow our experts’ advice, and call our team to schedule an appointment for AC service today.
Raise the Temperature
This may seem counterintuitive. Indeed, we don’t expect you to actually make your home hotter. However, you might already be turning the thermostat settings down much lower than you really need.
Some people have their thermostats set to 71°F or 72°F, when really, most people are comfortable at about 78°F throughout the day. And, of course, you can save even more by raising the temperature when you are not home or while you are asleep. Don’t waste energy cooling a home you’re not using, or lowering temperatures far more than you really need!
Use a Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans alone cannot keep you cool. A fan doesn’t lower the temperature of a room, but it can make your body feel cooler. That’s because it helps sweat to evaporate from your body–its natural way of keeping cool. On a warm day, a ceiling fan may be sufficient to keep you cool and keeps bills lower (as long as people are in the room!).
Otherwise, a ceiling fan can help push cool air down and keep warm air rising as you use your air conditioner. Pairing your ceiling fan with the central AC may allow you to run the air conditioner at a higher temperature, lowering monthly costs.
Change the Filter Regularly
Your air filter gets clogged up with dust and debris over the course of a year, making it more difficult for air to circulate throughout your home. That means it’s a lot harder for your air conditioner to keep you cool, and your system can even malfunction or freeze as a result. Change the air filter each and every month so your system can work properly!
Keep It Clean
The outdoor coil of your AC system is one area where excessive dirt and buildup can cause problems for the system’s operation. This coil is supposed to allow for the exchange of heat from the inside air in your home to the outdoors, but dirt interferes. With a dirty coil, you can expect a drop in performance and efficiency. That’s part of why you should schedule an air conditioning maintenance appointment before the temperature outdoors gets too high!
Upgrade
As a last resort, it’s possible that your air conditioner is just about ready to retire. Unfortunately, no system will last forever. But new, high-efficiency systems help you to save year after year. Get a second opinion if your technician recommends AC replacement, but keep in mind that this is often a better option than paying a high price for a repair that won’t hold up over the years.
Call MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. for complete AC services in Livingston, NJ. Our quality, honesty, and service put us above the rest.