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Don’t make these common mistakes when temperatures soar.
Well, it is safe to say that it is very hot out there, y’all, and we know that our air conditioners are doing the most right now to help keep us cool and comfortable during this sweltering summer weather. However, could you be making some mistakes that are actually making your AC less efficient or making it work harder than it needs to?
Here are five air conditioner mistakes you might be making that are actually making your house hotter, and how you can remedy each one, so you can stay cool, calm, and collected all summer long.
Not Closing Your Curtains
This is such a simple one, but it can make a big change. Keeping your curtains and blinds open during the day can actually let in a lot more heat than you probably realize. In fact, simply shutting your blinds and curtains can actually make your home up to 20 degrees cooler. And if you have any west- and south-facing rooms that don’t have any window coverings, adding blackout curtains, blinds, or shades will make a huge impact on how cool your home feels.
You Haven’t Replaced The Filter
A dirty or clogged air filter will make your air conditioner work way harder than it needs to, which is why changing your filter can make a world of difference. A dirty filter will decrease your AC’s airflow, so swapping it out will make things feel a lot cooler inside.
Your Vents Are Blocked
If your air conditioner’s vents are blocked, this is another reason why your house might feel hotter despite running your AC. Make sure both your indoor and outdoor vents are cleared of obstructions such as furniture or debris to make your AC work as efficiently as possible.
Your Unit Is The Wrong Size
Another mistake might just come down to the size of your AC unit. Having an air conditioner that is too small for your home’s square footage means that it is ill-equipped to properly cool down your space.
An air conditioner is sized by tons or BTUs. BTUs are a measurement of how much heat an AC unit can remove from your home every hour. An HVAC expert can assess the capacity you need based on your home’s size. However, they will also need to consider where you live, your home’s insulation, and other factors that might contribute to how well your AC can work for you.
You Turn Your AC Off When You Leave
While you may think you are conserving energy and helping your air conditioner take a break by turning it off while you’re away from home, you actually are doing more harm than good because it will take far more energy to cool your home back down later on when you return. Instead, run your air conditioner at a higher temperature when you are out of the house so it won’t have to do double duty when you get back home.
Read the original article on Southern Living
