As a trusted local HVAC and air conditioner repair business, East Texas Refrigeration knows how much strain summer weather can put on your air conditioner.
As anyone from East Texas can tell you, the climate puts serious stress on your air conditioning system.
Not only that, but these days we’re experiencing even hotter and more humid summers.
Here are 5 tips to Minimize the strain on your HVAC System during the summer (and help you save money):
1. Find Ways to Cut Down on Heat Inside your Home
Lots of little things can add up and make a big, positive difference.
Try to only use heat-producing appliances such as dryers and ovens during the early morning and evening/night when it’s cooler. It stands to reason that such appliances raise the temperature in your home and cause your HVAC system to work harder. Even hot showers can cause the temperature in the house to rise by several degrees.
Increasing the temperature even a little can cause strain on your AC system. Especially if it’s happening multiple times a day. Imagine the heat the appliances of a multi-family household might be producing during the day with multiple showers and loads of laundry.
Adjusting the time of day for these heat-causing activities will cut down on stress for your HVAC system.
Install curtains, shades, or blinds that will block out hot sunlight during the day. Especially in summer. And most especially during the hottest time of day. Sunlight pouring through open windows—south-facing windows in particular—can cause a room to heat up quickly and in a big way. Cutting off direct sunlight to keep it from heating up the room will help save your house from heating up and making your AC run over time.
Not only does this save strain on your air conditioner, but it will also save you money in utility bills.
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Especially if you have a new AC system, installing a programmable thermostat can help you keep your home’s temperature consistent and save strain on your AC.
Adjust your thermostat to a higher temperature when you’re gone or spending more of the day outside.
Particularly in the summer months when you’re out and about camping, boating, rafting, and spending time outside. Before you leave to play outside, adjust your thermostat—especially if it’s a smart thermostat—to a higher temp.
3. Regularly Changing your Filter
One of the biggest contributors to wear and tear on your HVAC unit is not changing your air filters often enough. It’s such an easy fix. However, it’s also one of the most commonly forgotten or overlooked. AC filters get clogged no matter what.
However, some things contribute to worse clogging and dirtying issues, such as smoking, pets, and climate. The summer climate in East Texas means a lot of pollen and sometimes dust. These are big contributing factors to clogged and dirty filters.
Filters that are clogged mean not enough airflow. Reduced airflow means the unit is working harder. It can even cause your AC to shut down altogether.
Air filters that aren’t correctly working will not only break or ruin your AC. They could also mean a compromised AC and less cold air.
It also means higher electric bills as your AC unit struggles to keep up.
Check and replace your filters on a regular basis. Save yourself money and AC wear and tear.
Insulate your home properly and install a fan in your attic. These two techniques are more for people committed to doing some home renovation, but it’s well worth it.
The fan will help dissipate concentrated heat that gets trapped in the upper stories of your home. This trapped heat not only raises the temperature of your home during the day but also keeps it hot at night.
4. Good, Sealed Insulation
A well-insulated house keeps in cool air longer and keeps out the warm air.
This means your home will stay cooler, causing your AC to run less. Be sure your home is staying well-insulated with no cracks for air to escape out of.
5. Regular Maintenance and Preventative Care
Calling in the experts can be a time and money saver. Preventative and regular maintenance can make the difference between needing a new AC later rather than sooner.
Having a professional HVAC technician perform routine maintenance will help keep your AC running smoothly.
A professional can find a problem and catch it before it becomes a big one. Professional HVAC companies like East Texas Refrigeration perform many services. They have state-of-the-art products and diagnostic equipment to ensure your HVAC systems’ safety, security, and integrity. In addition, they offer air conditioner repair, heating repair, AC system
checks, air conditioner filter checks, as well as inspections of your natural gas systems, heating systems, furnaces, cleaning ductwork, and AC system installation.
Ask about their professional maintenance programs.
Performing your own maintenance and calling in the professionals will help you to beat the summer season heat and make sure you don’t strain your HVAC system.