When the summer comes around, and the temperature outside starts to rise, the natural inclination is usually to crank up the air conditioning. This is an understandable response, but if you aren’t careful, it can end up costing you quite a bit of extra money. If you lean on the AC to keep your Arlington Heights, IL home comfortable for multiple hours every day, that’s going to add up to a lot of energy usage. And when the monthly electricity bills arrive, it’s probably going to be a tough pill to swallow. However, if you’re proactive about making your air conditioner as energy-efficient as possible, you can stay nice and cool during the hottest months without needing to break the bank.
1. Replace Your AC Filter
Your air conditioner’s filter has an extremely important job. When the appliance circulates air, that filter is tasked with trapping airborne contaminants like dust, dirt, pollen, and dander. Eventually, though, enough of those particles will accumulate to clog up the filter, which will restrict the system’s ability to circulate air. As a result, the appliance will need to strain itself just to keep your home comfortable, and that extra effort will worsen its efficiency. Plus, the odds of the unit malfunctioning or breaking down will be significantly higher.
The beginning of summer is an excellent time to purchase and install a new filter. If you use fiberglass filters, you’ll want to change them every 30 days throughout the summer. Alternatively, pleated filters can typically hold up for around 90 days before they need to be replaced.
2. Install Quality Insulation
If your home isn’t properly insulated, then your cooling system will need to cycle far more often to keep the climate where you want it, and that will end up wasting quite a bit of energy. This is because, without quality insulation, you’ll be regularly losing a lot of the conditioned air that your AC unit produces. To keep your house consistently comfortable and improve your air conditioner’s efficiency, consider having dependable insulation, such as spray foam insulation, professionally installed. Places like the attic, basement, ceilings, floors, and walls are all effective areas to insulate.
3. Invest in an AC Tune-Up
One of the most beneficial things you can do for your air conditioner is schedule professional maintenance, and our team at IBBOTSON Heating & Air Conditioning Co. is always available to take care of it for you. When you enlist our tune-up services, one of our expert technicians will clean out your AC unit and give the equipment a thorough inspection. By scheduling professional AC maintenance every year, you can enjoy some or all of the following improvements:
- Better energy efficiency
- Improved cooling performance
- Reduced risk of mechanical failure
- Better indoor air quality
- Longer appliance life expectancy
4. Clean the Outdoor Unit
Because they’re located outside of the house, AC outdoor units tend to get neglected by homeowners. That can be a problem, though, because things like leaves, twigs, and random debris can accumulate on and around these outdoor units over time. When that happens, it can restrict the air conditioner’s ability to circulate air and worsen its efficiency. Before the summer heat kicks into full gear, it’s a prudent choice to spend some time clearing the area around your home’s outdoor unit. You’ll want to rake any accumulated leaves, sweep up any debris, and trim any tall grass or shrubbery that has become prominent in the area.
5. Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned
Over time, it’s inevitable that contaminants will accumulate in your air ducts. A little bit of dust and dirt is no big deal, but if you ignore your ducts for too long, those contaminants can begin to obstruct your cooling system’s airflow. As a result, the air conditioner will require more pressure to circulate conditioned air, and that will require higher energy usage. You can prevent this from becoming an issue by simply scheduling a professional duct cleaning. This will improve your AC unit’s performance, efficiency, and overall health, and it will also result in cleaner air for you and your family to breathe.
When you need reliable heating, cooling, or indoor air quality services in the greater Arlington Heights area, you can always count on IBBOTSON Heating & Air Conditioning Co.. We’ve been faithfully serving the area since 1946, and our customers have come to depend on us for high-quality work and exceptional customer service. We offer indoor air quality solutions and heating and cooling installation, repair, and maintenance services. To schedule an appointment with our team, simply give us a call today!
