KEEP COOL AND SAVE MONEY

by ECM | September 23, 2014 6:24 am

 

By Art Hagopian, General Manager ARS San Diego

September 22, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – The heat is on the rise and your HVAC unit is working overtime to ensure the comfort of you and your family. These safety measures and energy-efficient tips from your local air conditioning experts at ARS® in San Diego[1] will help to keep your home cool and comfortable throughout the weeks to come.

Keep Cool with These Air Conditioning Tips

• Don’t allow the interior of your home to become dangerously hot since an air conditioning system can’t cool the space down significantly within a short amount of time. Air conditioners are designed for about a 20 degree change in temperature, so 100 degree air would only be cooled to about 80 degrees.
• Don’t let heat buildup in your home. Appliances, electronic devices and lighting are all common sources of internal heat gain.  To combat this excess heat, avoid putting lamps or televisions near your air conditioner’s thermostat. These heat-exuding appliances cause the air conditioner to think the house is warmer than it really is, resulting in the system running longer than necessary and wasting energy.
• One of the most simple air conditioner tips is to change your air conditioner filter at least four times a year to ensure that your family is breathing cleaner air and your HVAC system is not being overworked, thus potentially saving energy and money. If your system is on more frequently, it is recommended that you change the filters more often.
• Run your ceiling fans to stay cooler.  Check your fans to ensure they are going in the correct direction.  In the summer, your fan should be set on “forward,” which means the blades are rotating counter-clockwise.  There should be a switch on the base where you can control this.  By moving your fan setting to the forward position, you will receive a nice downward breeze to keep you cool.
• It is common for an air conditioner to ice up. The air conditioner drain line can also freeze, back up and cause a leak, which is often confused for a plumbing leak.  When this happens, immediately turn off your compressor by switching your thermostat over to fan.  As the ice starts to melt, make sure you have proper drainage and call a professional. From dirty coils to poorly designed ductwork, there are many things that can restrict airflow. A professional can check them all and get to the root of the problem.
• Keep heat out of your home by closing blinds, shades and draperies that cover windows facing the sun. Close coverings on east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon.  Also, installing shades or blinds that are white to reflect heat away from the house. This can keep you cooler and save energy.
• Keep your outdoor air conditioning unit cooler by planting trees or shrubs that provide shade but still allow air to flow around unit.  By properly shading the area, your system can perform up to 10 percent more efficiently.  Also, be sure the landscaping isn’t too close to the unit, so a technician can service it easily when necessary.
• The best defense against air conditioning system problems is to have a service agreement in place. This ensures that your system is maintained year-round, especially right before the heavy heat of summer sets in.  This is the time of year when your air conditioning system works its hardest. Regular tune-ups reduce your risk of experiencing common malfunctions and will help you stay cool when everyone else is sweating the heat.

For more tips or information on HVAC maintenance or service needs, visit www.arssandiego.com[2]
           

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