10 Detrimental AirConditioner Mistakes You Must Avoid
AirConditioner That is Poorly Sized
Bigger is better is the code word of the 21st century, however that’s not the case when you are planning on getting an AirConditioner that will serve you a life time. As a matter of fact, if your AirConditioner is oversized, you run the risk of having an inefficient air conditioning system that will cycle on and off during operation. This on and off power mode will affect the power usage of your air conditioner thus causing your family an uncomfortable temperature changes. You may think since an oversized air conditioner is a bad idea, well let opt for an undersized one. The truth is; an undersized air conditioner is as bad as oversized air conditioner. When you make the mistake of purchasing an undersized air conditioner you are also at the risk of running an air conditioner that will not provide your home with the cooling effect you paid for. Not only that you will not get the value for your money, but also your air conditioner will wear itself out within a very shot period. Either case is a sure ticket to an expensive AirConditioner repair down the road.
If you think getting a new AirConditioner is what you need, make sure your contractor does a complete load calculation to determine exactly how much cooling capacity your home needs. The best people in the business to get this accurately is Rite Price Heating and Cooling air conditioning specialist. By taking square footage, layout, insulation and load-generating appliances into account, our professional technician can find your home’s cooling load and recommend an AirConditioner that is perfectly sized to meet your cooling need.
Poorly Positioned AirConditioner
There is a whole lot that goes into having an efficient air conditioner in your home. And only expert with years of on field experience can get this done accurately. One of the many things that need consideration is the location of your AirConditioner. This is because the location of your AirConditioner has a big impact on its energy efficiency.
While it may seem convenient to put your bulky AirConditioner system in an unused corner on the west side of the house, that placement will force the machine to work harder to cool your home. Instead, find a shaded cool spot to put the AirConditioner. This will help reduce the direct sunlight your AirConditioner will be exposed to. This is because the lesser the direct sunlight the lesser the power it will consume in the effort to cool your home. Also, Remember that window-mounted AirConditioner should also be tilted back slightly to allow for proper drainage.
Exposer to direct sunlight is one way to positioning your AirConditioner for efficient delivery. Blocking shrubs however is another way and important way of positioning your air conditioner for an effective cooling delivery. You must make sure your AirConditioner isn’t blocked in by shrubs or other objects.
As unsightly as it may be, leaving the outdoor unit free to breathe will improve ventilation and help it run more efficiently. Finally, make sure the thermostat is positioned away from lamps and other appliances that create heat; if the thermostat gets too hot, it may incorrectly control your AirConditioner.
Running Your AirConditioner All Day Long
Some homeowners enjoy leaving their air conditioner running all day and night long. While there is nothing wrong with this habit, your energy bills however will not be on the low side on the next bill. It is always advisable to leave your thermostat up if your house will be empty for most of the day. And then leave it down again before you leave in the morning. Most air conditioning system need just a few minutes to cool your home. Therefore you shouldn’t be spending unnecessary energy when you are not home to enjoy it.
Also, it can be a good idea to shut your AirConditioner off overnight. Your body can tolerate higher temperatures when asleep than when awake; moreover, leaving your Air Conditioning unit idle as temperatures fall helps to prevent freezing up in the morning. Consider investing in a programmable thermostat to take the work out of this temperature manipulation.
Shutting Your AirConditioner Down
It is always a good practice to give your air conditioner breaks in between the period when they are heavily used. However, leaving your AirConditioner completely off for too long can be detrimental to your air conditioner performance. If your home is going to be vacant for a long period of time, don’t just shut the AirConditioner off and expect it to be running perfectly when you return. While your air conditioning system is completely turned of and idle for a longer period of time, mold may creep in and the condition of your air conditioner may deteriorate. Instead, try to run the AirConditioner for at least a few minutes every day to protect your indoor air quality.
In the event that you have to stay away from home for a longer period of time. We recommend that upgrading to a Wi-Fi thermostat may definitely be the best idea if you want to keep your air conditioner healthy. The new state-of-the-art Wi-Fi control devices let the homeowner turn the air conditioning on and off remotely, giving you control no matter where you are. As a bonus, you can turn the air conditioner on while you are on your way home and enjoy cool, comfortable air as soon as you arrive.
Setting Your AirConditioner Thermostat wrongly
We always want our home as cool as possible when we walk in. The catch however is, your AirConditioner is not a magical home appliances. This means that you have got to turn your air conditioner on and high when you walk into the house so you can get a faster result. For example, if you are comfortable at 25 degrees, don’t set the thermostat to 21 in an effort to reach 25 quickly. In reality, your AirConditioner will skip right past the desired temperature, wasting energy in the process, and you will find yourself even more uncomfortable as the temperature shifts rapidly.
As a rule of thumb, you should set the thermostat as high as you are comfortable; for most people, that spot is somewhere between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius. Remember, every degree makes a difference of about 7 percent in your unit’s power consumption, so even a small adjustment can make a big difference on your monthly utility bills.
You Might Want to Keep Your Ceiling Fans
It is only logical for homeowners to think that when you have an AirConditioner you really do not need a ceiling fan in your home. The fact is, AirConditioner and ceiling fan are originally designed to work together for the outmost effective cooling. What your ceiling fan does when it work in connection with your AirConditioner is; it help your air conditioning system to move fresh air around your room. This movement of fresh air will then create a more conducive environment for your family. Not only the cooling convenience that comes to play, but your will be saving your self some good money on energy bills and also reduces the wear and tear of your air conditioning too.
If you are looking forward to getting the most use out of your ceiling fan and air conditioning system, look for an Energy Star rated ceiling fan, and be sure to put it in the down flow setting during the cooling season. Some fans can be reversed during the heating season to help your heat pump or furnace run more efficiently, too.
Regularly Change Your AirConditioner Air Filter
The air filter is the essential component of every AirConditioner that removes dust and debris from the air before it blows into your home. Inevitably, air filters become clogged with dirt as the air conditioner operates. Most air filters need to be cleaned or replaced on a monthly basis, although some high-efficiency filters can last a little longer between cleanings. Dirty air filters can reduce system efficiency and lead to problems such as freezing.
If your AirConditioner has a reusable filter, be sure to wash it in cold water and let it air dry completely before putting it back in the unit. Trying to wipe off the air filter can damage its delicate dust-trapping surface. If you need to replace your air filter, contact a local factory authorized dealer to find replacements that fit your unit exactly. Generic models from your local hardware store may be cheaper individually, but they can lead to efficiency issues and need to be replaced more often.
Avoid Letting Outside Air In When AirConditioner is On
While your AirConditioner is running, leaving doors and windows open is a great way to reduce operating efficiency and undermine your HVAC system’s ability to bring your home to a comfortable temperature. Whether you’re letting hot air into your home during the day or bringing in cool air at night, your AirConditioner has to fight even harder to pull the humidity out of the air and cool you down. When the air conditioning is on, keep all windows and doors closed.
A closely related mistake is using exhaust fans in the kitchen or bathroom. These fans can push conditioned air out of your house, which needlessly increases the strain on your AirConditioner. During the cooling season, use these fans as sparingly as possible.
Provide Untimely Maintenance For Your AirConditioner
AirConditioner may be able to run on their own for extended periods of time, but they need occasional maintenance to operate at maximum efficiency year after year. At least once per cooling season, have a maintenance technician check your unit for any emerging issues that could call for an expensive AirConditioner repair down the road. Your HVAC professional will also make some small calibration adjustments to improve your unit’s energy efficiency.
Between professional maintenance checks, you can also help preserve your AirConditioner by providing good home maintenance. Changing the air filter regularly is an important step, of course, but you should also check the window seals, run a stiff wire through the drain channels and check the refrigerant gauge to identify any emerging issues. A little prevention now will save you plenty on AirConditioner repairs later.
Repair Negligence
Negligence is one of the highest factor of disaster. So many times we overlook the little things that require simple and cheap repairs in our homes just to end up in disaster or higher price break down. Most especially in the middle of a busy day, it is easy to just put off a rattling sound of a breaking air conditioner. In reality, these visible or audible issues are usually signs of bigger problems lurking just beneath your AirConditioner cover. Your air conditioning unit represents a significant investment in your home comfort, so protect that investment. At the first sign of trouble, check your unit for any signs of significant problems, or give Rite Price Heating and Cooling specialist a call for an easy fix.
At Rite Price Heating and Cooling, we have a network of HVAC professionals trained to handle any of your HVAC needs. Choose one of our dealer in your area for A+ customer service and expert advice on HVAC products, repairs and maintenance.