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We hope you’ve been enjoying the increased hours of sunlight, and the warmer weather. We also know it’s great to escape the heat and enjoy the refreshing coolness a central air conditioner or cooling heat pump can offer, but did you know that you might not be getting the most from your appliance? In this month’s edition we’ll look at a few homeowner tips for maximizing the efficiency of your AC (or heat pump) and dispel a few commonly held myths:
Myth 1: Air Conditioners Do Not Need Maintenance
This is one of the most common – and dangerous – myths that we run into. Whether it’s a gas furnace, your vehicle, or your air conditioner, all mechanical appliances benefit from regular maintenance. Your AC is no exception! One of the most important things you can do to keep it running well is very simple: just make sure you have a clean filter installed at the furnace. That ductwork is used both in the heating and cooling seasons, and if the filter is dirty or clogged, you’ll be forcing your system to use more energy to get the required airflow. It’s also important to ensure that the condensing coil is clean.
This is a series of thin metal fins that typically wraps around your entire air conditioner’s outdoor unit. Ensure there’s no tall grass or weeds or anything impeding the unit, and rinse the outside off with a garden hose occasionally. There’s also an evaporator coil that’s typically in the ductwork above your furnace that’s sealed and should only be accessed by a qualified technician, and its seasonal cleaning can lead to efficiency gains. An air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic can also test the electrical components of your unit, verify its performance, lube its bearings and ensure it’s performing as efficiently as possible, and is in the best position not to let you down when the sweltering heat and humidity of summer arrives.
Good equipment maintenance begins with checking your furnace filter. Book maintenance with our licensed technician annually.
Myth 2: Lowering The Temperature On Your Thermostat Will Make It Work Faster
The truth is that your central air conditioner will not arrive at your desired temperature any faster if you set it below where you actually want it to be. Most air conditioners are still single stage meaning you get 100% of their power the moment they turn on. If you do have a dual stage or modulating AC, it will ramp up power as it runs longer which promotes efficiency and avoids the damage that short- cycling can cause to your mechanical appliance. In either case, setting your thermostat to 20°C won’t help it get to 21°C any faster.
Set it and forget it to maximize efficiency. The indoor thermostat should be set somewhere in the range of 22–25°C.
Myth 3: A Bigger Unit Will Cool Faster
We’ve been so conditioned to believe that “bigger is better” in so many things. Air conditioners buck this trend. The best advice is to get an appropriately-sized unit for your home’s needs. This is done by calculating the cooling load and understanding your home’s unique construction including size, insulation, building materials, windows and many other factors. A competent Comfort Advisor should be doing this calculation for you any time you replace a heating or cooling unit in your home. If you undersize your AC, it won’t keep up, but if you oversize it you’ll end up short-cycling the unit as it won’t run in long cycles, and shortening the life of the appliance. Worst of all, an AC that’s too big won’t properly dehumidify the air so you end up with cool but damp air – it feels something like being in a cave.
Contact one of our experienced Home Comfort Advisors when considering a new equipment purchase.
Myth 4: Turning Your AC Off At Night Is Good Practice
This just isn’t true, unless the outdoor temperature has reduced so much that no heat is being absorbed by the home. Central air conditioners and heat pumps in cooling mode work to make your home feel cooler by doing two things. First, they dehumidify. By removing the sensible heat in the air, the AC makes your home feel cooler and more comfortable. Secondly, they remove latent heat by pushing cool air through the vents that warm air attaches – they basically cancel each other out, so the temperature lowers. When you turn off your AC overnight and it’s still warm outside, you’re stopping all dehumidification and cooling for 6-8 hours. You can expect that when you wake your home won’t be as comfortable as when you went to bed, and it will take your unit quite a bit longer to recover and make things cool again. Removing humidity from the air takes far more energy and far longer than simply cooling the air.
Install a smart thermostat to help control your home’s temperature, to maximize efficiency and save on heating and cooling.
Achieve Lasting Comfort and Efficiency with Simple AC Tips
Optimizing your air conditioner’s efficiency not only keeps your home comfortable but also saves on energy costs and extends the lifespan of your unit. By understanding and debunking these common myths, you’ll get the best performance out of your AC or heat pump while preventing unnecessary wear and tear. Whether it’s through regular maintenance, choosing the right unit size, or setting up a smart thermostat, small changes can make a big difference in your comfort and energy bills this summer. Ready to enjoy a cooler, more efficient home? Start implementing these tips today!
