Ways to Make Your Home’s Air Conditioner More Efficient for the Summer

Summer is well on its way, which means you’ll be cranking up your air conditioner before you know it. Before you get your first bill for the season, take a proactive approach and learn a few steps to take to make your unit operate more efficiently so you can stay cool and keep your energy costs as low as possible.

Clean the Condenser Unit

One of the first things to do is ensure your outside condenser unit is as clean as can be. Doing so allows your air conditioner to work as efficiently as possible. While you can take care of minor debris on your own, you’ll be better off leaving the deep cleaning to a professional company that specializes in AC repairs and services.

Invest in a High-Efficiency Unit

Depending on how old your current unit is, it might be time for you to start saving up for a new one, specifically one that’s more energy efficient. You probably don’t like the idea of having to buy an entirely new unit when your current one still has a few summers in it, but the truth is that getting a new one will likely be more cost efficient in the long run as you won’t have to pay for constant repairs.

Consider a Whole-House Fan

While you’ve heard of regular residential ceiling fans, you might not be so familiar with whole-house fans. What’s unique about them is they bring in fresh air from the outside and cool down your entire home rather than just a single room. If you’re worried about the energy costs involved with this type of fan, know that they don’t use much energy.

Take Good Care of Your Vents

Something else you can do on your own is clean debris and dust from your interior vents, which improves airflow so your unit doesn’t work harder than absolutely necessary to keep your home cool. Once your vents are clean, make sure they remain unobstructed by blinds, plants, furniture or anything else that might block the flow of cooled air.

Make Sure Your Unit Is the Right Size

As you’re considering new units, be sure you choose one that’s the right size for your home. An air conditioner that’s too small is just as bad as one that’s too large, mainly because either can waste more energy than necessary and result in higher bills and general frustration. Have a certified technician come out to inspect your current unit and your home and offer suggestions for what you should choose for your next air conditioner.

Don’t Forget About Attic Ventilation

If you have an attic, it makes for a great space to make your air conditioner more efficient. Specifically, proper attic ventilation has been known to make units as much as 10 percent more energy efficient and attics cooler to boot. Like with your air conditioner, make sure your attic ventilation solution is the right size and placed in the right area of your attic space.

Keep Your Blinds and Curtains Closed

While it’s perfectly understandable that you want to take advantage of the abundant summer sun when it comes to lighting up your home, that sun also comes with heat, which can warm up your home and your energy bills. Keep sunlight from turning your property into a sauna by keeping your curtains and blinds closed. If you simply can’t bear to seal your curtains and blinds, just make sure your home’s interior isn’t being exposed to direct sun rays.

You don’t have to go to great lengths to stay comfortable both physically and financially this summer. Make smart investments and intelligent choices to get the most out of your air conditioner without having to drain your wallet or your sanity.

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