It’s no secret that the summer months in the Austin, TX area tend to be sweltering. As the temperature outside rises higher and higher, it can be difficult to resist the temptation to have the air conditioning blowing all day long. While that constant cool air would certainly be refreshing, it can also result in a ton of extra energy being used, which will really hurt your wallet when the monthly bills arrive. However, staying comfortable this summer doesn’t have to mean spending huge amounts of money. If you take a few prudent measures, you can improve your air conditioner’s efficiency, allowing you to keep your home cool while also saving some money.
1. Schedule an AC Tune-Up
Scheduling regular maintenance for your air conditioner is extremely important. If you get it taken care of at the start of summer, you can ensure that your cooling system is running efficiently when you need it the most. Typically, these AC tune-ups consist of an experienced technician cleaning your air conditioner, thoroughly inspecting its components, and making adjustments to improve its performance. Afterward, your cooling system will be able to run more smoothly and efficiently, allowing you to stay comfortable without your bills getting out of hand. In the greater Austin area, you can always count on Totally Cool Heating & Air to provide you with a comprehensive AC tune-up for an affordable price.
2. Inspect Your Home for Leaks
One of the best ways to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency is to remove any sources of escaped air. If your home is harboring leaks, then your cooling system will frequently need to compensate for all the conditioned air that’s regularly leaking out. That not only results in more energy being used, but it also puts unnecessary strain on your AC unit and puts it at risk for mechanical problems.
The summer is an excellent time to search for any air leaks in your home. Usually, you’ll find them around the edges of windows or doors, and even the tiny ones can be problematic. If you find any openings, you should be able to seal them with weather stripping and caulk from the hardware store.
3. Clean Your Air Vents
Your household air vents play a crucial role in your air conditioner’s distribution of cool air. All that air has to pass through a vent before it can bring your home’s temperature down, but if any of the vents are overly dirty, that process can be disrupted. When there’s tons of dust and dirt built up inside the vents, your AC unit has to work harder to push air through, and that directly leads to lowered energy efficiency.
The good news is that air vents are pretty easy to clean. All you should need is a screwdriver to remove the covers and a vacuum with a hose to clean out the contaminants. Ideally, you should repeat this process every month or two throughout the summer.
4. Replace the Air Filter
When your air conditioner’s filter is doing its job, it’s frequently trapping airborne contaminants. However, these filters only have so much space for dirt, dust, and other pollutants, and if they’re neglected, they’ll eventually become clogged. Clogged air filters are bad news all around. When your cooling system’s filter is too full of contaminants, the unit’s airflow becomes restricted, and that results in poor energy efficiency, inconsistent home comfort, and, in many cases, mechanical failure. If you want your AC unit to be as efficient, effective, and healthy as possible this summer, switch the dirty air filter out for a clean one. Then, make sure to replace the filter periodically going forward.
5. Have Your Ductwork Professionally Cleaned
Over time, various contaminants can accumulate in your household ductwork. If you go several years without having the ducts cleaned, they can become packed with dirt, dust, pollen, debris, and even mold or mildew. The more of these contaminants there are in your ductwork, the more difficult it becomes for your air conditioner to circulate air to the different areas of your home. Eventually, the AC unit will have to increase its air pressure to do its job, and that will require significantly more energy. To avoid this, though, all you need to do is schedule a professional duct cleaning. Having this service done will not only save you money on energy, but it will also improve your air quality, your comfort, and the health of your HVAC system.
At Totally Cool Heating & Air, we’ve been proudly serving the greater Austin area for over 35 years. Residents of the area have come to count on us for high-quality heating, cooling, indoor air quality, attic insulation, duct sealing, and duct replacement services. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment with our team, give us a call today!
