Cooling Tips

Important tips you need to know to increase your comfort, maintain your efficiency, and protect your Air Conditioning System:

• If your system is over 15 years old…you may want to look into replacing your air conditioning system. Newer models incorporate designs that result in drastically higher efficiency during operation. Saving you money ever time you run your air conditioner! Look for the ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide labels.
  
  
• Air Filters: A dirty filter is the most common problem we encounter. A dirty filter will decrease your performance, increase the wear and tear on your equipment, and increase your operating costs. Check your filter every 30 days, clean and replace as necessary.
  
  
• Outdoor Unit: Keep the area around your outdoor unit clean. Clear away any grass clippings, leaves, or debris that accumulates around or on your unit. Dirty outdoor coils will increase operating costs and possibly cause early compressor damage or cooling problems.
  
  
• Check and Adjust Registers: When changing from the heating season to the cooling season, you may need to adjust your registers for better air control. During the summer months it is important to leave your upper floor registers open. Basement registers may be closed to increase your comfort.
  
  
• Check Cold Air Returns: Blocked cold air returns will decrease the efficiency of your system. Make sure your cold air returns have a 3 inch space between them and any furniture and personal items.
  
  
• Constant Fan: For more even room temperatures and better air cleaning and humidification, run your indoor fan continuously.
  
  
• Install and adjust programmable thermostats: : Using a programmable thermostat allows you the flexibility to adjust your comfort settings from hour to hour, day to day. By setting your thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature while you are not at home, or at night time you could reduce your cooling bill by about 10%!
  
  
• Don’t put heat generating appliances such as computers, TV’s, and lamps close to your thermostat. Thermostats will pick up the heat generated by these appliances and may cause your air conditioner to run longer then necessary.
  
  
• Close window coverings: During the cooling season, keep the window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar gain, and reduce sun damage to furnishing.
  
  
• Landscape for efficiency: Plant trees and shrubs to shade your windows during the hottest part of the day. When possible have your outdoor unit installed in a shady area. A unit operating in the shade could use up to 10% less electricity. Keep in mind that landscaping needs to be placed at least 3 feet away from outdoor units to protect air flow.
  
  
• Seal air leaks: Check windows, doors, and other possible areas where air can leak into your home. Properly seal based on application.
  
  
• Equipment Maintenance: Preventive maintenance (checking, cleaning, and adjusting) is key to maximum performance, durability, and comfort. Seasonal maintenance on your equipment should be performed every year. This maintenance is necessary to uphold your equipment manufacturer’s warranty or home owner’s warranty. CLICK HERE for more information about the added benefits and savings of our Planned Maintenance Agreement.
  
  
  For more information please see:
  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cac.pr_central_ac
  http://www.energyguide.com/
  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=thermostats.pr_thermostats