Running your air conditioner in the heat of the summer will make your energy bill go sky-high, but the alternative doesn’t paint a pretty picture. The good news is that there are five things you can do to make sure your air conditioner runs better and make your summer months progress like a breeze.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
If you haven’t upgraded to a smart thermostat – such as Nest or Lyric – you’re missing out. Smart thermostats can regulate cooling when you’re not around to save money. Plus, smart thermostats learn your habits and preferences to adjust settings remotely. These devices can also adjust the settings remotely with the help of an accompanying app on your smartphone.
Smart thermostats let you set temperatures for various times throughout the day and automatically adjust the temperature when you need it the most. This saves you money and automatically manages cooling without requiring your constant supervision.
Keeping Your Air Conditioner Clean
This tip should come as no surprise, but your air conditioner will work without interruption and last much longer if you keep it clean. For a cursory cleanup (without actually opening the AC), you can make do with a vacuum and a soft-bristle brush to clean your AC.
Caution: Some components on your air conditioner are fragile and will be easily crushed or bent out of shape. It is highly recommended to check your owner’s manual for directions on how to clean your AC.
Alternatively, you could hire an air conditioning service in Madera, CA to professionally get your unit cleaned and checked for potential problems.
Fix a Clogged AC Drain Pipe
The most obvious sign of a clogged drain pipe is that your AC has stopped working. The drain line ensures that excess condensation has an exit to be removed from the air conditioner. When it operates properly, you’ll notice a small trickle of water at the end of a pipe outside your home. This is where the condensed moisture travels.
To fix the clogged AC drain pipe, simply inspect it to see if the blockage is visible. You could remove the blockage yourself if it is accessible to you. If the clog is too far down, it’s better to hire an air conditioning professional.
Raise the Temperature for More Efficient Cooling
If you’re worried about your energy bills with constant AC use, you could try raising the temperature instead of turning the entire unit off. This saves money because the AC won’t work as hard to maintain the room at a lower temperature.
Moreover, air conditioners tend to run more efficiently if they’re running for longer periods of time. One strategy is to lower the temperature when you’re home and raising it when you’re not. This will save you more money than cycling the AC on and off while you’re away.
At Donald P. Dick AC, we strive to provide honest answers and solutions to the problems our customers experience while remaining highly competitive in price and offer the fastest turnaround you can find!