One of the most popular questions we get as HVAC professionals is how homeowners can improve their system’s efficiency in a way that it will cost them less to run their air conditioners, without sacrificing comfort. Considering how uncomfortable it can get outside during our summer seasons, this is a perfectly reasonable question.
And we have good news! First off, there are a number of services you can have done that will help your air conditioner perform better, plus prevent repairs. Take maintenance, for example. Annual (or biannual, if you have a heat pump) tune-ups will ensure that your system works as efficiently and effectively as its meant to for as long as it’s meant to.
You can also help improve AC efficiency by performing a couple minor maintenance tasks on your own, like changing out the air filter and making sure the outside unit of your air conditioner is free of debris that can impact airflow. Here are a couple more things you can do that you might not have considered:
Spring is going to come to a close, and soon enough we’ll be using our air conditioners on a daily basis. When that time comes, your AC system will be put under a lot of stress and accumulate wear and tear quickly.
It can be difficult to determine if your plumbing system is in good shape at any given moment. Most homeowners don’t even think about their plumbing systems much at all, as long as the pipes keep working for them the way they always do. After all, “out of sight, out of mind”! Unfortunately, this is not a great attitude to have with your plumbing system.
For homeowners who want efficient and effective cooling and heating, there is a singular option that is growing in popularity: the ductless system. Rather than operating through ductwork connected to an indoor air handler and evaporator unit, a ductless mini-split breaks up the indoor unit and blower fans to independently distribute conditioned air into each room. Small air handlers are mounted—typically high up on the walls—and each one can be set to a specific temperature.
When you first read the title of this blog post, you might have thought, “Wow, they’re going to tell me how to install an air conditioner? What a great way to save money!”
If we had to guess, we’d imagine that you don’t spend a whole lot of time thinking about the drains in your home, or the rest of your plumbing system for that matter. That is, you don’t think about them until something goes wrong—like a clogged drain.
The short answer to this is “yes,” but don’t worry, we’re going to explain below.
With chillier temperatures for at least the next couple of months, you may be wondering if your aging or struggling heater has what it takes to see it through the rest of winter and early spring. If you skipped fall maintenance, this can be a big concern.
We could have also titled this post “How to Give Your Heater the Extra Efficiency Boost It Needs.” How you use your heater and how efficient your home is go hand-in-hand.
Winter has officially begun as of just a few short weeks ago, though around here we’ve been experiencing chillier temperatures for a few months already. Hopefully, your furnace has been behaving itself and giving you powerful, efficient heat. But what if it’s not? What needs to happen to get better results?