Summer is Coming, is Your AC Unit Ready?

Mon, 23 May 2022 13:29:27 GMT

Originally published on April 9, 2018

Remove covers
This includes condenser covers, coil blankets, or lids. Remove before turning to avoid major repairs or replacements.
Inspect panels
If the panel covering the electrical connections is missing, call a qualified technician to inspect your unit.
Remove debris
Wash away any debris such as stones, leaves, twigs and clear any vegetation growing around the unit. Often, debris hinders heat transfer lowering the performance of the unit.
Replace damaged insulation
Inspect the two refrigerant lines running from the outdoor unit to the indoor air handler. You should be able to find a small pipe and a larger pipe. If you notice any damage to the larger pipe, it can result in a loss of cooling which affects (damage the system) your unit and causes a loss of energy.
Inspect the indoor unit
Replace your filter. Change in season is a good time because cleaning a dirty and clogged one can lower your unit’s energy consumptions by 5-15%.
Check the coil drain
Check to make sure the line is in the proper place and has not been moved or broken. Inspect to check whether it would drain properly and in the appropriate location.
Clean supply vents and clean the vent grills
You could vacuum any dust or pet hair inside and make sure it’s not clogged by any debris.
Turn on your unit and test it- to make sure there is cool airflow through the indoor vents
If you notice that the airflow is not enough or the airflow isn’t cooling, then something might be wrong, and you should immediately turn off your system. You could also go through the above checklist again and try to turn it on again. If your unit is still giving you issues with its cooling, then contact your HVAC contractor to inspect the unit.

Yes, There's an Ideal Temperature You Should Set Your Thermostat to This Summer

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 13:56:45 GMT

Learn some tricks to consume less energy and save money this summer, including setting your thermostat to the right temperature.

There are several easy ways to lower your energy usage -- including setting your thermostat to the right temperature.

Chris Monroe/CNET

Last summer, several US states broke long-standing temperature records -- and this summer is likely to be just as hot. With rising temperatures, it can be hard to battle the heat, which often leaves our AC working overtime and our cooling bills staggeringly high. In fact, the US Energy Information Administration says that air conditioning accounts for 12% of all home energy costs -- or about $265 on average.

With summer quickly approaching, many homeowners and renters are eager to find ways to reduce their energy consumption and save money on their cooling bills. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to lower your energy usage this summer -- including setting your thermostat to the right temperature.

Sure, you can always take shorter showers , turn off the lights and weatherstrip your home , but a quick adjustment to your thermostat can also save you big. In this article, we'll explain how to configure your programmable thermostat for efficiency this summer and discuss how it makes a difference in your home. We'll also offer a few tips on how to keep your house cool and comfortable without breaking the bank.

The Right Thermostat Temperature for Summer

According to the US Department of Energy , the best technique for staying cool yet minimizing utility costs in summer is to keep your home warmer than usual when no one is home and then setting the temperature as high as comfortably possible when home. Energy Star, a program of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy, suggested that homes be kept at 78 degrees Fahrenheit when home during the day.

It also suggests that the thermostat be set to 82 F when sleeping and 85 F when out of the house for maximum savings -- recommendations that were met with scorn and disbelief on social media .

If setting your thermostat to somewhere in the 80s sounds too warm, then a good rule of thumb to follow is to turn your thermostat up 7 to 10 F from your normal setting for eight hours a day, so you can save up to 10% a year.

The Right Temperature for Winter

According to the US Department of Energy , it's best to keep your thermostat at 68 F for most of the day during the winter season. For maximum efficiency, you should also designate eight hours per day during which you turn the temperature down by between 7 and 10 degrees. By following this routine, you may again be able to reduce your yearly energy costs by up to 10%.

Depending on your schedule and comfort preferences, you can decide whether you'd prefer to keep your home cooler during the day or at night. Some people prefer turning the heat down at night when they can cozy up under blankets and won't notice the colder conditions. Plus, sleeping in chillier temperatures may even be linked with getting more restful sleep.

For others, it might make more sense to turn the thermostat down during the daytime when they're at work. Once you're home, you can crank up the temperature to a more comfortable level.

Why It Matters

In summer

A common misconception is that setting your air conditioner to a lower-than-normal temperature will cool your home faster. But actually, an air conditioner will only really cool your home 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the outdoors; any other setting will not cool your home more and will result in unnecessarily high expenses.

Plus, a higher interior temperature setting in the summer will actually slow the flow of heat into your home, which results in energy and money savings.

In winter

What makes 68 F the best temperature for winter? It's on the lower end of comfortable indoor temperatures for some people, but there's a good reason to keep your home cooler during winter. When your home is set to a lower temperature, it will lose heat more slowly than if the temperature were higher. In other words, keeping your home at a cooler indoor temperature will help it retain heat longer and reduce the amount of energy required to keep the house comfortable. As a result, you'll save energy and money.

Positioning Your Thermostat for Maximum Efficiency

In addition to following these temperature recommendations, you can maximize your energy efficiency by installing your thermostat in the right place . It's best to position your thermostat away from drafty areas (near vents, doors or windows) and away from places that receive direct sunlight, as these factors could activate your thermostat unnecessarily. Instead, place it on an interior wall in a well-used area of your home.

Have a Heat Pump? Keep This in Mind

Fiddling with your thermostat multiple times per day isn't ideal, so it's best to have a smart thermostat or programmable thermostat that lets you set a schedule and automate temperature changes.

Unfortunately, some smart and programmable thermostats don't work well with heat pumps -- a furnace and AC alternative. If you have a heat pump system, ask your HVAC specialist about buying a special type of thermostat that's designed for use with your system.

Other Ways to Reduce Energy Costs

If you're frustrated with high utility bills, you might be interested in switching to green energy such as solar power. With solar panels, you can generate power yourself, reducing energy costs and your reliance on the public grid. They're an eco-friendly alternative to traditional energy sources, providing clean power all year long ( including in winter ) for your home, business or vehicle .

The Bottom Line

Being smart about your thermostat settings can make a real difference to your energy consumption year around. By reducing your home's temperature to 68 F and under during winter and about 78 F during summer, you can conserve energy and cut down your energy bills for good.

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