5 Ways to Increase AC Efficiency

Sunny skies and rising temperatures are the signal to look at your air conditioner before it is running flat out. In Northwest Arkansas the heat comes with humidity, and a system that struggles in June has a hard road ahead in August. The five steps below are things you can check yourself, and each one helps your AC run smoothly and stay cost effective through the summer.

Unblock and vacuum your vents

Keep your vents free of dust and debris. Even if you dust and vacuum on a regular basis, your vents may still be blocked. Walk through the house and check each supply vent and each return grille. Pull furniture, rugs, and curtains back so nothing sits in front of them, and run a vacuum with a brush attachment over the covers. Air that cannot leave the vent cannot cool the room.

Close the doors and windows

Make sure all doors and windows are shut. One of the easiest ways for cool air to escape is through open doors and windows. If letting the breeze in on a mild morning is the goal, just make sure to turn off your AC system first. Running the air conditioner against an open door means paying to cool the yard.

Check what sits near the thermostat

Make sure heat-producing appliances are away from the thermostat. Where the thermostat is placed plays a big role in how efficiently the system runs, because it decides when to start and stop by reading the air around it. A lamp, a television, or a sunny wall next to it can make the thermostat think the house is warmer than it is, so the AC keeps running.

If you are not sure whether yours is near anything that could hurt how it runs, Allied can send one of its HVAC technicians out to check for you.

Seal leaks and change the filter

Fix any leaks in your attic, around windows, and from under your doors. Air leaks are another big reason cool air might be escaping your home, and the more cool air that leaves, the more you will pay in utility costs. Weatherstripping around doors and caulk around window frames are low-cost fixes. If you can, check the attic hatch and any spot where wires or pipes pass through a wall or ceiling.

Then change your AC filter. A dirty filter can almost stop the flow of air from your AC system completely. Clogged filters reduce the quality of the air in your home, and they are also one of the cheapest ways to make sure your system is running smoothly. A one-inch pleated filter is a common size, and the dimensions are printed on the frame.

• Keep supply vents and return grilles clear and vacuumed.
• Shut doors and windows, or turn the AC off if you open them.
• Move lamps and other heat producers away from the thermostat.
• Seal air leaks in the attic, around windows, and under doors.
• Change the filter on a regular schedule.

When the checklist is not enough

If you go through all five steps and the house still does not cool, or the system runs nearly nonstop, the problem may sit inside the equipment. Ice on the refrigerant lines, water around the indoor unit, or strange noises are all reasons to switch the system off and get it looked at instead of running it harder. Allied's A-Team memberships include a scheduled cooling tune-up each year, which gives the system a check before the hottest weeks arrive.

If you run into any problems while checking out your AC system, Allied's heating and air team is ready to help. Call (479) 278-4508.