Your air conditioning is essential for keeping your home cool in the summer. You will, however, want to keep your energy use to a minimum, to keep your bills down and to help save the planet. Here are some tips for using your air conditioning system as efficiently as possible.
Set it properly
Firstly, don't be tempted to set it too low. This will put a strain on the unit, which will shorten its life as well as use more energy. It will not necessarily cool the room faster anyway. Try setting it a few notches higher. You will find that you can have a comfortable cool temperature inside the house without overloading the system, which should help to lower your energy usage.
Use zoned cooling
Secondly, don't waste energy cooling down rooms that no one is using. Modern ducted air conditioners allow for zone control so that the unit will only work in particular rooms and will direct the airflow to the part of the room where you are working. By not working to cool down other areas, the unit will use less energy overall.
Keep insulated
Thirdly, make sure your home is geared up to keep a stable temperature. Keep the doors and windows closed — otherwise, the cool air will just rush outside and your energy consumption is wasted. Closing curtains and blinds to keep out the sun's rays will also stop your home from heating up, so the system has less work keeping it cool. And make sure you have plenty of insulation so the cool air stays in and the hot air stays out.
Use timers
When you know when the house will need cooling, you can use your system's programming to set it running in advance — before you arrive home, for example. The advantage to this is that the unit can run more slowly and cool down the house gradually, which is a much more efficient way to run.
Keep up the maintenance
Finally, make sure your unit stays in good working order. Clean dust and debris from the grills at the start of summer and winter, and make sure you get it professionally serviced regularly. This will keep it working efficiently and will keep your bills to a minimum.
You don't have to give up on the air conditioning to keep your bills down. Just use it efficiently and keep it serviced, and you will enjoy a cool home in the summer without breaking the bank. For more information on air conditioning, contact a professional near you.
