9 things you need to know about air conditioning

Do you have air conditioning in your home? Here are a few secrets of how to make it work as efficiently as possible.

Change the filter

Dirty filters reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner, so every month you need to change or clean them, if you have filters that can be cleaned. You should check the minimum value of efficiency when buying an air conditioner - this value can be from 1 to 12. The higher the number, the better the air is purified, but also the greater the energy costs. Therefore, you should choose an air conditioner, based on the balance between air purity and waste to clean it.

Eliminate air leaks

Ducts can lose up to thirty percent of the air due to leaks, so you should check your ventilation for various minor damages. To do this, you can use an old trick with a candle - bring it to the intended place of air leakage. And if the flame of a candle starts to fluctuate, then it means that there is a leak. Use special materials to repair damages and leaks, and pre-seal joints and other similar places to prevent possible leakage in the future.

Use the timer

There is no need to turn on the air conditioner at full capacity, while you are not at home. You should install a programmable thermostat that will allow you to set a higher temperature for the time that you are away and lower for the time when you are at home. Some modern models already have built-in timers and thermostats. If in your model there is nothing like that, then you can safely purchase a separate thermostat - you just need to check that it matches the voltage to your air conditioner. Do not turn off the air conditioner completely if you do not leave for a long time, since then the air compressor will have to work much harder to cool your home. It will take more time and you will spend more energy.

Isolate

Air ducts should always be insulated to keep the air cool. You can use for this purpose a special foam or felt insulation. Ensure that the duct is completely insulated, even in hard-to-reach areas.

Take care that there are no obstacles near the compressor and the condenser

The compressor and condenser of your air conditioner are most often located outside the house. Make sure that there is at least sixty centimeters of free space in each side of them. Also try to install a compressor and a condenser on the northern part of the building or protect them from direct sunlight, as they can reduce the efficiency of the air conditioner by ten percent.

Do not overload it.

Extend the life of your air conditioner by closing the curtains during the day to protect the room from the intense sun. Think about using the air conditioner with desktop or floor fans. This will ensure a more efficient circulation of cold air.

Call a specialist

You need to find a company that will not only install the air conditioner, but will also put you in the queue for its annual maintenance, which includes not only a change of filters. Plan to test your system before the summer season and ensure that it includes inspecting and cleaning the coils, cleaning or replacing the filters, adjusting and replacing the fan belts, lubricating motors and bearings, cleaning and checking the blowers, checking the control panels and safety, checking the refrigerant And pressure, as well as operating temperatures.

Do not close the door

If you close the doors inside the house, this will cause an imbalance in the operation of the air conditioner. If you need privacy, cover the door, but do not close it completely.

Think about improving

Modern air conditioners are much more effective than ten years ago. So if you have an old system installed, think about replacing it with a more modern one.