Considering an air conditioning system is such a costly investment, you’ll want to make your unit lasts as long as possible. Many homeowners make air conditioning mistakes by getting the wrong unit for their home, neglecting their AC system, or operating it in inefficient ways. If you need Glastonbury air conditioning, Glastonbury contractors can help.
Improper air conditioning use and treatment can lead to higher energy bills, a lower cooling system lifespan, and more repairs. Following these tips will bring you years of cool, clean air.
Air Conditioning Mistakes to Avoid
1. Buying an Improperly Sized Air Conditioner
An HVAC professional will calculate your home’s energy needs before installing a new AC unit. They take good care to select the best models that fit your home’s size and cooling demands. Ignoring their recommendations can result in improper cooling.
If your home’s AC system is too small, it will run continuously to keep up with the temperature. An oversized unit will turn on and off sporadically, resulting in uneven heating. Both cases result in an air conditioning system that increases energy bills, has a reduced lifespan, and doesn’t cool your home efficiently.
2. Neglecting the Air Filter
An air conditioner’s air filter catches pet hair, dust, and other airborne particles before reaching the unit’s interior. A dirty filter significantly reduces airflow, resulting in overheating and unit breakdowns. Neglecting air filters is one of the common air conditioning mistakes.
Your air filter needs replacing every six months or more. Depending on your home’s size, the number of pets you have, and how frequently you clean, dust and hair may build up faster. Be sure to check the air filter after large cleaning tasks.
Cleaning dirty air filters will prevent AC breakdowns. You can perform air filter replacements during regular maintenance.
3. Not Performing Regular Maintenance
While an HVAC company offers maintenance services, you don’t need in-depth maintenance every month. Regular maintenance will keep your HVAC system in top shape and increase its longevity. Create a checklist for all necessary tasks, including cleaning air filters and coils, checking the drain line, and ensuring outdoor units have no debris.
If you’re unable to perform maintenance or clean your unit yourself, HVAC technicians can assist you with it. They also perform routine inspections to detect signs of wear and tear. While a maintenance appointment adds to your bills, the long-term effects significantly outweigh the inconvenience of having to replace your unit or get costly repairs.
4. Running the AC with No One Home
You may like returning to a cool home after work, but running the AC while no one is home will significantly boost monthly energy bills. Turning the thermostat up when everyone is away will ensure you don’t use unnecessary energy. Keep it off instead, or find an alternative.
Consider a smart cooling system. Intelligent systems learn your routine and cooling preferences and operate automatically based on your schedule. You and your family can return to a cool home without the unit running while everyone is gone.
5. Avoiding an AC Replacement
After around ten years, your air conditioner stops running efficiently. Poor cooling performance means you’ll run your unit for longer and miss out on energy-saving, intelligent models. While installation expenses are costly, you’ll spend more on frequent repairs and high energy bills than installing a new unit.
By avoiding an AC replacement, dust, dandruff, and pet hair gather on your surfaces quicker. A new air conditioning system has optimal airflow to clean your air and cool rooms evenly.
6. Setting the Wrong Temperature
In the past, one of the most common air conditioning mistakes was setting an improper temperature. Many homeowners thought setting their air conditioning unit to the lowest possible temperature would speed up the cooling process, but this is not true.
Setting your thermostat to an excessively low temperature only makes your unit work harder.
Your AC unit runs full-blast no matter the temperature settings. Bigger temperature jumps increase the amount of time your unit must work hard.
You can maintain your AC’s longevity by setting the thermostat to your desired temperature. If you can’t wait for your unit to cool at its own speed, you should consider purchasing additional cooling mechanisms.
7. Not Using Additional Cooling Methods
You don’t always need to run your air conditioner. Some days, your home may get cool enough by running a fan or closing your blinds. An electric fan will help circulate cool air and decrease the time it takes to cool your rooms.
As temperatures drop in the evening, you can cool your home further by opening windows. Warm air rises, so you should open top and bottom floor windows to get the best cooling. Doing this will also improve indoor air pollution.
8. Using an Outdated Thermostat
You may be satisfied with your current thermostat, but many homeowners achieve better energy efficiency and savings with a programmable, smart model. Smart thermostats integrate with your existing HVAC system and allow individualized temperature control. They are especially convenient for large households.
With a smart thermostat, you can change the indoor temperature remotely via a smartphone app. Other models analyze your cooling and heating activity and develop a schedule to turn your system on before you get home.
Air Conditioning Services
SM Mechanical Services, LLC is a heating and air conditioning authority serving Glastonbury, CT, and the surrounding areas. Our skilled team has experience with many different HVAC systems. Trust us for honest and transparent communication, reliable technicians, and precise handiwork.
We diagnose the problem and implement effective solutions, whether you have a refrigerant leak or a motor failure. Contact us for fast, professional AC services and friendly customer service when your AC unit stops working.
Don’t decrease your air conditioning system’s life by committing common air conditioning mistakes. Get air conditioning services, including routine AC inspections, maintenance, and repairs at affordable prices with SM Mechanical Services, LLC. Contact our team for an estimate at 860-296-5100.