An overworked air conditioner is not a problem you want, especially during summer. A struggling A/C will leave you uncomfortable and could break down faster; an expense no one wants to deal with. Fortunately, there are ways to help your system perform better on hotter days and help to keep your home more comfortable overall.
Improving unit performance
In order to give an overworked air conditioner the chance to perform optimally, there are a few checks you can perform with the system. These include:
- Changing the air filter if it’s dirty (inspect it once a month)
- Cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils so heat exchange between the refrigerant and air can occur smoothly.
- Clearing any vegetation that might be crowding the area around the condensing unit.
- Search for disconnected or ill-fitting ducts and make sure they’re tight.
These few simple tasks will take you or a qualified professional only a few minutes to accomplish and all can dramatically improve the way your A/C cools your home.
Keeping heat out of the home
While cleaning and maintaining your air conditioner will certainly make a difference, it will be barely noticeable if you’re not able to effectively keep the heat out of the interior of your home. A few simple things you can do to combat this problem include:
- Keeping the sun out by using solar screens or blackout curtains.
- Installing proper insulation throughout your home to reduce heat transfer from the outside.
- Seal air leaks by caulking window frames, weatherstripping doors and window sashes, and sealing around any vents or utility holes that lead to the outside.
- Without any extra sources of heat creeping into your home, your air conditioner has an easier time keeping your home cool and comfortable.
Professional assessments can help
Before you throw in the towel, contact the experts at Ernst Heating & Cooling to perform a proper energy assessment of your home. We have been helping customers in the Metro-East area, including in the communities of Troy, Greenville, Hamel and Glen Carbon, since 1951.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Hamel, Alton, Glen Carbon, Highland, Greenville, and Troy, Illinois and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).