Maximizing your AC’s efficiency during a hot summer in Nashua, NH and surrounding areas is important. Thankfully, it’s also quite easy to do with the right information. With a combination of maintenance, thermostat management, and a tighter thermal envelope, you can achieve premier efficiency. Ensuring your system doesn’t have to work harder is also much better all around. You reduce wear and tear on your AC, and you can reduce your energy expenses.
At Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc., we want to help you reach peak efficiency with your cooling equipment. We’re always here to offer maintenance, repair, and installation options when you need us. We’re also here to help you get as much out of your cooling unit as you can. Different strategies and tips you use can boost your air conditioner’s performance in many ways.
Schedule a Professional AC Tune-Up
The most effective first step you can take is to have us look at your AC and tune it up. With the right tune-up, your AC runs a lot smoother and more efficiently. It does not have to work as hard to cool the home down. If there are any minor issues, we fix them before they snowball into emergency breakdowns. Regular service ensures that your AC always runs at its optimum levels.
When we perform a tune-up, we do an all-points inspection. We look at coils, refrigerant levels, condensate drainage, filters, and the entire setup. We clean, calibrate, and test your AC to ensure it runs well. If there are any minor issues, we apply lasting repairs to avoid total failures. We recommend a tune-up every spring, so your AC is ready to handle the summer months.
Replace Your Air Filter Regularly
Dirty or clogged filters are a leading cause of AC inefficiency in the home. When filters are jammed up, your AC literally cannot properly breathe. It has to move a lot of air throughout the home to keep it cool. It also has to draw air and moisture out of the home. Changing your filters on a regular basis allows your AC to work as intended. You can even upgrade your filters to improve your indoor air quality (IAQ).
We recommend checking your filter every 30 days, especially in the summer. You do not have to change them every month, but at least check them. You can see if they’re becoming clogged or not. Some filters can be cleaned if your system uses permanent filters. Make sure you know the exact type of filtration system your AC uses. You can contact us to help with this information. Cleaning or changing your filters when they’re dirty is a must for better efficiency.
Optimize Your Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat is the centralized brain of your HVAC systems. A lot of people believe that lower settings are better. This is not always the case. If you set your thermostat for the low 60s Fahrenheit, for instance, this isn’t necessarily going to get things cooler. It will just cause your AC to work too hard. This could cause a breakdown and will certainly cause your bills to spike. You want to aim for a consistent, comfortable temperature.
You can also increase AC efficiency by going with a smart thermostat. These models give you energy audit reports. You can use these reports to create different cooling schedules in the home. Using your AC less ultimately keeps it running more efficiently for longer. Making small adjustments by a few degrees can save costs and avoid wear and tear.
Use Ceiling Fans to Circulate Air
Ceiling fans are a great way to boost your home comfort without taxing your AC. Using them to move more air around is a great tip. It creates a “wind chill” effect that can make 76-degree air feel much cooler. You don’t have to tax your AC unit and set your thermostat low. You can simply turn your ceiling fan to a higher speed.
One cool tip you might not know about ceiling fans is that their blades are easily changeable. You can get wider blades with more of an angle to move air around the home. Just make sure your fan rotates counter-clockwise so that the air pushes downward. Always turn them off if the room will be empty. Fans don’t use a lot of electricity, but you still don’t want to waste power. Plus, you don’t want to add more wear and tear on your fans.
Keep Blinds and Curtains Closed
Many homeowners love the bright, warm light of summer. However, the Greenhouse Effect is a very real thing. Sunlight streaming through your windows can cause the home to heat up by many degrees. It’s a good idea to leave your blinds or shades closed when sunlight is directly over your windows. Blocking the sun’s rays can help keep you a lot cooler without the AC’s help.
Also, consider going with light-colored window treatments. It may seem counterintuitive, but light colors reflect sunlight away from the home. Darker colors absorb it, and that leads to heat transfer into the home. Reflecting the sunlight is a passive cooling technique that has zero ongoing costs.
Seal Air Leaks Around Windows and Doors
Even the most efficient AC system will struggle if cool air constantly escapes your home. HVAC systems require your home to be a tight thermal envelope for optimum efficiency. Many homes develop small leaks and gaps around windows and doors. Most homeowners only consider sealing these as a winterization method. However, it works equally well for the summer.
The pressure in your home typically keeps the outside air out. This does not stop your inside air from rushing outside. Your home could lose its cool conditioned air, which will cause your AC to work harder. This is how many AC units end up needing our air conditioning repair services. They were simply working too hard.
Clear Debris From the Outdoor Unit
Outdoor condenser units need a lot of room to breathe and release the heat pulled from inside your home. If grass, weeds, debris, and other stuff block this air, your performance suffers. Airflow becomes restricted, and the system retains heat. This is how you lose a lot of your cooling capacity.
We recommend having a clear zone of at least two to three feet around the entire unit. Check for leaves, dirt, branches, and other debris that may impede airflow. Keeping the area clear helps you enjoy AC performance that’s far more efficient.
Trust Your Local Cooling Experts
At Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc., we have over 30 years of service to our community. Our family-owned business has helped homeowners with HVAC problems of all types. We know the primary causes of an inefficient AC. Our technicians are NATE-certified professionals who can fix any issue on any make or model HVAC unit. However, with proper care and regular maintenance, you can avoid those larger expenses.
Whether you need a seasonal tune-up or a specific air conditioning repair, Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. provides lasting solutions for your HVAC needs. It’s important that you do not wait until your unit fails or your electricity bill swells in size. Follow the right tips and you can experience superior AC performance. You will be rewarded with great home comfort.
When you need AC maintenance, repair, or installation in Nashua, Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. is here to help. You can contact us right now for service.
