Things Are Really Starting To Heat Up: How To Reduce Your Air Conditioners Workload
The weather is finally getting nice out, and the summer sun will soon be making an appearance. When it does, you'll want to be ready with the air conditioner. You don't want to be left in the sweltering heat because your air conditioner isn't keeping your home as cool as it should. The best way to make sure your air conditioner is able to do its job properly is to eliminate some of its workload. Here are some simple strategies you can use to reduce the workload so your air conditioner will make it through the summer:
Keep It Out of the Sun
If your air conditioner is sitting in the direct sun, it's absorbing heat all day long. That excess heat is going to make it downright difficult for it to cool your house down. You can't move your air conditioner to a shadier location, but you can take action to protect it from the sun. One way to do that is to install a shade screen around your air conditioner. The screen will help keep the heat away so your air conditioner can focus on keeping you cool. Be sure to leave some space between the shade screen and your air conditioner; if it's too close, your air conditioner won't get the circulation of air that it needs for proper operation.
Give It the Night Off
During the summer, your air conditioner works hard all day long. It's only fair that you give it the night off from time to time. Turning your air conditioner off for the night will prevent it from getting overworked during the dog days of summer. If you and your family are usually gone during the day, you can reverse the schedule and leave the air conditioner off during the day. That way, your air conditioner gets several hours of downtime each day.
Put Your Ceiling Fans to Good Use
If you've got ceiling fans, you need to put them to good use. Many people don't use their ceiling fans once they start using their air conditioner during the summer; however, using both of them together will help take some of the load off of your air conditioner. Your ceiling fans help circulate the air, which makes your home feel cooler. Once the air feels cooler, you can turn the thermostat down a few degrees.
Stay on Top of the Repairs
One of the worst things you can do is postpone those minor air conditioner repairs. It may seem safe to hold off on calling the repair technician, but even a short delay could result in further damage. Unfortunately, the additional damage is going to result in costlier repair bills. The best way to extend the life of your air conditioner and stay cool all summer long is to stay on top of the repairs and schedule regular air conditioning services.