A Home Air Conditioning Strategy for Lower Energy Bills

Summer is here, and like everyone else, you have probably started cranking up the air conditioning to deal with those hot and humid afternoons. However, it is possible that you have not taken the time to check the status of the unit and whether it is performing at its optimum efficiency.

Most people like only to tune up the AC when it is sweltering, but few people think of getting an overall cooling strategy to help them stay cool throughout the season while at the same time saving their money. If you have not prepared for the heat, here are a few tips that will help you stay cool and comfortable until the end of the season. 

Servicing your unit is the best way to make sure that all parts are working as they should. Here is a checklist that you should consider using when doing your regular air conditioning service Denver maintenance: 

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  Your filters will get dirty and cloggy during the hot and dusty season. Therefore, replace them at least once every two months. A simple filter replacement improves the efficiency of the HVAC unit by between 5 and 15 percent. 
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  The water evaporator coil also tends to collect a lot of dirt and grime. Check that part of the unit at least once every year and clean it when necessary. 
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  Outdoor condenser coils collect foliage, soil and other types of dirt over the course of the year. When running your maintenance, check the cleanliness of the area around the coils and clean if need be. Also, mowing the lawn and cleaning up foliage could help keep the outdoor unit clean and efficient. 
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  Check the evaporator coil to see whether the fin combs are in their best working condition. If they are bent, have them replaced because they could be affecting the efficiency of the unit. 
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  If you have a room or window conditioner, have a look at the seals between the conditioner and the frame to make sure they are not broken. When these seals are broken, they end up causing leaks and increasing your energy bill. 
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  Consider using a dehumidifying heat pipe as a retrofit to your system if you are living in a very humid place. 

Keep learning and enquiring about maintenance practices that will keep your conditioner running efficiently for a long time. 

Implementing a home cooling strategy 

You should start with maintenance because, with a faulty unit, even the best cooling strategy will not work. Once the unit is in good shape: 

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  Do not rely on the artificial AC at all time, when the mornings and the evenings are cool, open the windows and turn the system off. 
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  Replace your thermostat with a programmable one. Replacement will ensure that when you are away, you do not waste energy in cooling but when you are in the home, it stays cool. 
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  You can turn on ceiling fans for a cooling effect, but only when you are in the room. When the fans are running, the thermostat temperature can be increased by up to 4 degrees. 
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  If you have appliances such as lamps, TVs, and others which emit heat, keep them away from the AC units because this heat will make the AC unit run longer. 
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  To lower the temperatures inside the house, limit how heating appliances are used. You can cook on a grill, or a range hood if you have to do it inside. You do not have to do Laundry and dishwashing during the heat of the day. 

These are useful strategies that will keep you fresh for the entire summer without resulting in a high energy bill. Implement them for a comfortable season.