Ideally, we should be able to turn on our central heat and air units and have them deliver exactly what we want, at the temperature we want, all day long. Most of the time this is the case. What is difficult to discern is when the HVAC unit is not running efficiently. Sure, it’s on and putting out heat or cold air, but is it working too hard? Think of your HVAC unit like a car. It has a motor and runs off a certain type of energy. In the same way that you change your car’s oil, spark plugs, recharge the battery, etc, these HVAC motors also need regular attention to run efficiently and effectively. With proper maintenance, a new air conditioner should last 12-15 years, and can last much longer than that in some cases. With central air and/or window units it’s not only important to have routine maintenance performed on them, but to also use other features that will help you’re A/C run even better. The first thing is to make sure your unit is not leaking and is draining as it should.

If too much water is allowed to remain in the system, or oppositely that too much is allowed to escape, then your air conditioner is not running as it should. Check hose connections for leaks or crack, and make sure the condensate tube is able to drain without impediment. Change the filter every 4-6 weeks. If anyone in your family suffers from severe allergies, having a clean filter can be a significant help to them. Clean off the outside air compressor with water. A garden hose will do the trick. Keep all things away from the compressor so that it has a free flow of air. It is important to have your ductwork professionally cleaned every 3-4 years. This will not only make you breathe a little better in your home, but it will also keep your home from being so dusty. This process can be particularly effective if you have hardwood floors, since carpet will usually grab and hide dust bunnies. If you have any doubts about the efficiency or effectiveness of your air conditioning unit, have it inspected by an HVAC contractor.

This professional can make deft adjustments to your unit to ensure that it is in prime condition. Click here to have your air conditioner tuned? By using ceiling fans, whole house fans, and box fans you can circulate the cool air quicker and help out your air conditioning unit. best window ac heat unitAlso, move drapes, pots, and furniture away from vents so that the air can free flow to reach more area. large portable ac unitsWhole house fans are particularly effective at helping air cooling systems and can lower the indoor very quickly.how much does a commercial ac unit weigh Your attic needs to be properly ventilated to ensure correct and efficient airflow. Good attic ventilation can reduce heating and cooling costs by 10-12 percent.

Pull the shades and blinds on the sides of the house that get the most direct and intense sun. This will not only keep your home cooler, but will also protect your home from sun damaged furniture and sun damaged floors. If at all possible, wait until the cooler times of the day, specifically late evenings and early mornings, to run dishwashers and dryers. These appliances emit a good amount of heat when they run, and without you noticing, they can raise the temperature in the house. (Opposite to this, try to run these appliances during the daytime in the winter to help out your heater.) The very best idea for central heating maintenance is to have a service professional out to give your system a checkup. HVAC contractors regularly handle these exact tasks, and they can provide you with a thorough check of your system and ensure that it will run effectively all winter. Listed below are a few steps you can follow to help your unit run properly. Learn more about this customizable HVAC software to help with dispatching, billing, scheduling and more.

Our friends at Mhelpdesk are offering a free trial to help get you started.Energy-Saving Tips: Air Conditioners Buying a bigger room air-conditioning unit won't necessarily make you feel more comfortable during the hot summer months. In fact, a room air conditioner that's too big for the area it is supposed to cool will perform less efficiently and less effectively than a smaller, properly sized unit. Sizing is equally important for central air-conditioning systems, which need to be sized by professionals. If you have a central air system in your home, set the fan to shut off at the same time as the cooling unit (compressor). In other words, don't use the system's central fan to provide circulation, but instead use circulating fans in individual rooms. Whole-house fans help cool your home by pulling cool air through the house and exhausting warm air through the attic. Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.

Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense. Consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use. Avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units but not to block the airflow. Place your room air conditioner on the north side of the house. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun. If your air conditioner is old, consider purchasing a new, energy-efficient model. You could save up to 50% on your utility bill for cooling. Look for the ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide labels. Consider installing a whole-house fan or evaporative cooler if appropriate for your climate.