It’s tempting to crank up the A/C this coming summer especially when it gets quite hot in Coastal Bend, but that’s not necessarily a good move. There may be a reason why the A/C isn’t cooling as fast or as much as it is meant to be. To run the A/C more efficiently, here are a five tips you can do:
- Clean your system: A dirty A/C increases energy costs by 20 to 30 percent. It also breaks down faster within the first five years of usage, resulting in expensive repairs starting at around $500. That’s just the minimum, so it can get higher the bigger the damage.
- Inspect ducts for any leak: Electric consumption may rise by 18 percent or more if your home has leaky ducts caused by lack of maintenance. The cold escapes, so the system runs longer just to reach the programmed temperature. Proper insulation is a must to run the A/C more efficiently.
- Check the air flow across the evaporator coil: If the evaporator coil air flow is set too low, the A/C won’t properly cool. Set to high, the room will cool but turn humid, forcing the A/C to work harder in shorter circles.
- Determine if the line set is in the right size: Your A/C’s SEER rating drops two points if the line set is smaller than needed. This is because the compressor works harder, causing more electricity to be used.
- Hire a professional to assess your A/C: The system must be installed properly and in top condition for it to run efficiently. Getting an expert to do the job for you ensures that your A/C satisfies both conditions.
And speaking of experts, we at CCAC are just the people you need to handle all your needs on air conditioning, heating, indoor air quality, and insulation. Call us at (361) 855-3088 or send us a message online.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/Cs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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