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Top 10 Mistakes Homeowners Make With Their AC System

The monthly electricity bill for a home owner who has a central air conditioning system may go up significantly in warmer weather. Air conditioner repair and air conditioning systems represent one of the highest electricity costs for modern homes. Nobody likes huge electricity bills, so it's a good idea to avoid the following common mistakes when choosing and using a new air conditioner.

1. Failing to perform maintenance

The most important aspect of AC ownership is the air conditioning maintenance performed on the unit. Without proper maintenance, a system will degrade quickly and will require unexpected repairs. Yearly inspections are mandatory for a smoothly operating air conditioner.

2. Allowing excessive plant growth

Plant and shrub growth around an air conditioner may impede performance of the unit. Proper ventilation of an air conditioning system ensures efficient cooling and that the unit isn't overworked.

3. Setting the thermostat on arctic

Sitting in an icy home might feel good when it's a hundred degrees outside, but setting the air conditioner too low will reduce efficiency of the unit over time. Air conditioning machinery suffers greatly when overused in extremely hot weather.

4. Understanding closing vents

Unused rooms might not need to be cooled, but closing vents might make sense in some homes. It's essential to take note of the efficiency of the air conditioner after such closures, however, to ensure the system isn't hindered by such closures.

5. Proper thermostat replacement

The cooling provided by the air conditioner is dependent upon the thermostat reading, and it's vital that the device is placed properly within the home. It shouldn't be near any hot electronics or heat generating devices because this will result in over-cooling problems.

6. Forgetting about the fans

Use of a fan may boost the efficiency of the air conditioner and allow the machine to be run at a lower intensity. Fans should be used as an addition to an air conditioner and not solely as a substitute. In addition, fans need to run in such a way that they push air downward.

7. Leaving exhaust fans on

Running an exhaust fan for a few minutes in the kitchen after someone burns popcorn is fine, but such fans shouldn't be used excessively. Exhaust fans may result in the unintentional removal of cool air from the home.

8. Running the unit too much

If nobody's at home, there's no reason to run the air conditioner. If the temperature is so hot that pets inside the home require cooling, installing a programmable thermostat ensures the lowest possible waste of energy.

9. Placing the unit in the sun

The placement of the air conditioning system may impact its functionality, and it's usually a good idea to place an air conditioner on the east or north side of the home so that direct sunlight isn't as much of an issue.

10. Buying a huge air conditioner

A huge air conditioner doesn't mean that a home owner will enjoy cooler temperatures inside. An over-sized condition may result in humidity problems, inefficient cycling, and excessive power consumption.
 
Whether an air conditioning system is new or old, using the device properly will result in lower energy bills and a longer lifetime for the machine before it requires replacement. New systems and old air conditioners require regular maintenance and smart usage habits in order to last up to a decade or more without major maintenance work required. 
 

Thursday, 22 August 2013