My husband and I have spent a lot of time consulting with an architect. After living in our cramped, starter home for the past 11 years, we were finally ready to make some needed changes to it. We have added an extra 600 square feet of space onto our house. Before the construction began, we finalized the plans for our new heating and air conditioning unit with our HVAC contractor. Because our home was going to be substantially bigger than it is now, we purchased a larger HVAC system. We also installed a new, digital thermostat inside my home. On this blog, I hope you will discover the best types of HVAC units to buy for mid-size homes. Enjoy!
One of the most important ways to tackle climate change is to think about your local climate—as in, as local as possible. The efficiency of your residential air conditioning unit can affect climate change, and if the energy efficiency of all forms of air cooling is significantly improved, it's been found that this could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 460 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2060. So how can you be sure that your home's air conditioner is running at maximum efficiency?
The Thermostat
You can start with the easy stuff. Are there any other appliances in the vicinity of your air conditioner's thermostat? This can result in a false reading, meaning your air conditioner thinks the room is warmer than it actually is, so it increases its energy usage to compensate. So one of the ways to improve the unit's efficiency could be as simple as repositioning your television.
The Filters
When was the last time you cleaned your unit's filters? This is quite easy to do, and they usually sit right inside your home's interior AC vents. A dirty filter has an accumulation of dust, dirt, mites, and other contaminants. This accumulation can partially obstruct the unit's airflow, which again means it needs to compensate by using more energy in order to sustain its temperature. These filters can be removed, washed in warm water (with some household detergent), and reinstalled. Filters are generally inexpensive, so if they're particularly dirty, you could just replace them.
Vents and Ductwork
While the filters are removed, you should clean inside the vents. Your vacuum cleaner will come in handy, but a dusting brush with a telescopic handle will be even better. The condenser unit and the AC ductwork should also be cleaned to improve efficiency, but this is a more dedicated task, and you might want to farm this out to a company that provides air conditioner maintenance.
Control the Space
Lastly, don't forget the small things that can make a big difference. Of course, you should never run your air conditioner with the windows open, but you should also close the doors in the room you wish to cool. This creates a smaller space, resulting in less energy usage to achieve the desired temperature. You should also consider the structural integrity of your doors since air leaks can result in a lot of lost, chilled air. Pay specific attention to the jambs (on either side of the door), and the sill (at the base of the door).
By making sure that your air conditioner is using as little energy as possible, you will be doing your part to combat climate change, without sacrificing comfort. For more information about how to make your residential air conditioning more efficient, contact a local HVAC company.
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