Help Your AC Keep its Cool

If your air conditioner doesn’t seem to be providing the relief you want during the summer months, you may want to evaluate options for enhancing its performance. There are some important maintenance measures that are integral in obtaining optimum energy and comfort results, but there are also steps that you can take to lighten the load for your AC. As you supplement your air conditioner’s cooling activity, you may also be pleased by lower energy bills.

Maintenance First

An unmaintained system will cost more money to operate, and you may experience poor comfort levels, as well. The typical annual efficiency loss for an air conditioner is approximately 5 percent. Much of this is attributed to the buildup of dirt on evaporator coils and other system components, an issue which reduces airflow and hinders refrigerant in cooling your indoor air. Schedule a maintenance visit so that your system is ready to keep your home cool.

Sensible Ventilation

Ceiling fans can make your home more comfortable without excessive energy usage. As your fans move air through the structure, they make it feel cooler. This may allow you to keep the thermostat just a couple of degrees higher. For every degree that you can raise the thermostat over an eight-hour stretch of time, you can save as much as 1 percent of energy needed to operate your air conditioner. Don’t operate the ceiling fans when you aren’t home because the fans don’t actually cool the air.

Window Treatments

Solar energy can heat up your house and cause your AC to work harder. Clear windows are especially costly because they are responsible for 40 percent of a home’s energy gain during cooling season. High-efficiency windows still represent one-fourth of a home’s heat gain during the summer. Make an affordable and dramatic difference with window treatments such as the following options:

• Reflective blinds
• Insulated curtains
• Window shades
• Awnings
• Shutters
• Solar screens

Light colors and reflective backings on inside window treatments can cut energy gain by between 30 and 45 percent, making an especially big difference in rooms with windows facing east, west or south. New windows may also make a big difference, especially if ENERGY STAR qualified options are installed.

Energy Awareness

These improvements are excellent approaches to conserving energy and your budget at the same time, and there are many more simple ways to save energy. From turning off indoor lights when they aren’t needed to sealing air leaks at windows and doors, you can make a big dent in your home’s usage. Tempco Heating & Air Conditioning can assist you with AC maintenance needs in the Rolling Meadows, IL, area. We are also available to evaluate your home’s energy performance if you need more specific information about how to keep costs down and comfort levels up. Call our office for an appointment.