5 Ways to Improve Your Air Conditioner’s Efficiency

Keeping your home cool and comfortable is essential for wellness during the summer months. Your home should feel like a private retreat from the heat, where you can rest and recharge after a long, hot day. While it’s natural that air conditioning comes at a cost, there’s nothing more frustrating than discovering that your HVAC system isn’t up to the task.

Here are five ways to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency, so you get comfort and value for your money.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

There are several home maintenance tasks to get done each spring in anticipation of the summer, and air conditioner maintenance should be one of them. Rather than just turning on the system to make sure it works, it’s vital to perform routine maintenance and upkeep. 

Consider scheduling a spring tune-up appointment for your air conditioning unit. According to experts in air conditioning maintenance in Dallas, this is particularly important in warmer climates. During a routine maintenance visit, your HVAC specialist will inspect the air conditioning unit, clean the coils, connections, and filters, and make minor adjustments to keep the system running efficiently.

If you notice your air conditioner is working harder to keep up with demand, and you haven’t had maintenance done in the past year, you’re overdue for a tune-up. In addition to ensuring your AC is running efficiently, preventative maintenance will also extend its overall lifespan.

Use Curtains and Window Film

Curtains are one of the most affordable, simple solutions to help keep your home cool during the summer months. You can get a set of thermal curtains for under $50 on Amazon in a variety of lengths and colors. 

It’s estimated that 25-30% of home heating and cooling is lost through the windows. Thermal curtains or window film block the sun, so the air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to offset the radiant heat.

Consider keeping the curtains closed during peak daylight hours, opening them to let the light in after the sun has moved on. If you prefer to let some light in, window film is a happy medium.

Seal Drafts

We tend to think of drafts as an issue during the winter months. However, they also impact the integrity of our home during the summer. Take some time to go through your home and check for drafts. The main offenders include:

  • Window seals
  • Doorways
  • Fireplaces
  • Outlets
  • Baseboards
  • Attics
  • Basements

Taking the time to seal drafts and insulate at-risk areas will help improve the efficiency of your air conditioner and the air quality of your home.

Use Localized Climate Control

If you have a whole-house air conditioning unit, consider using localized climate control to focus the air on the rooms in use. Installing a mini-split or a DIY ice fan is a great way to capitalize on localized climate control without affecting the whole house. 

If some rooms are unused, close the vents to redirect the cool air where it’s needed the most. You can also keep those doors closed during the day to help redirect the airflow.

Improve Your Airflow

In addition to redirecting the airflow in your home, consider how you can improve it for better air distribution. Your ceiling fans should be turned counterclockwise at full speed to create a cool breeze and circulate the cool air throughout the home.

Take a look at your room layout and determine whether you need to move any furniture away from vents for better air distribution. These simple adjustments can minimize the stress on your air conditioner without sacrificing your comfort. 

With these five tips, you can keep your home cool, minimize your annual cooling costs, and extend the lifespan of your air conditioning unit. 

Home Base Project Team
Home Base Project Team
At The Home Base Project, we offer practical, real-life tips and inspiration about DIY, decorating and gardening. The Home Base Project provide the best information about home renovation and design, connecting home design enthusiasts and home professionals across the world.