My HVAC Hobby

Homeowners rely on their HVAC units during most of the year, and yet many don't keep up with essential maintenance tasks. This is particularly the case when dealing with air conditioning. There are many different components that work together to keep your home cool. Each part has a specific role that affects the efficiency of your entire unit. Therefore, you can get even more out of your AC system by paying attention to the sum of its parts.

By fine-tuning each relevant component, your air conditioning will operate smoothly without using lots of energy. You will also get more life out of the system and save on maintenance costs over time.

Seal your ductwork

Air ducts are the primary pathways through which cool air flows into your home. If these ducts are leaking or blocked, your AC will have to work harder just to cool your home to a given temperature. Furthermore, blocked ductwork will interfere with air circulation in specific rooms and result in cold/hot spots. And overworked AC is more likely to experience worn-out components and incur costly repairs.

You can avoid this issue by repairing damaged ductwork, cleaning the airways, and sealing to prevent leaks. Furthermore, consider replacing your vents at least once every 2 years. Vents that have adjustable fins give you more control over how much air is entering each room.

Seal your windows and insulate floors

Another essential tip to consider is proper insulation. Even with the best AC, a poorly insulated home will leak cool air and cause your unit to become overworked. Many HVAC contractors can also seal air gaps in windows, doors, attics and basements. After insulation, you will notice that your cooling costs are lower and the air conditioning unit will also last longer.

Install larger fan blades

The fan blades propel cool air through your ductwork and into each room in the home. Unfortunately, many older ACs have undersized fan blades that can't distribute cool air fast enough on a hot summer day. This is why you should consider purchasing a larger fan for your home. Contractors can help you explore the available options that are compatible with current cooling infrastructure. In this way, the larger fan will cool your home faster and give the AC unit more life.

Install a smart thermostat

Finally, you can never go wrong by installing a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats are more efficient in monitoring the temperature of your home. They can also keep track of humidity, on/off times and the effectiveness of other components within the AC. Think of it as the main control unit of your air conditioning system.

For more information about air conditioning systems, speak with a professional.