How to Improve AC Efficiency in Amarillo

Every year, your air conditioner naturally loses some efficiency. Fortunately, you can fight this with certain routine efforts at home. Here’s how to work on improving AC efficiency so you can watch those cooling costs melt away.

Reduce Your Use

• Only use the air conditioner when the temperature outside exceeds the indoor temperature. Otherwise, open the windows and let the cooler outdoor air inside.
• When the time comes to turn on the AC, close all the windows and doors.
• Set the temperature 8 to 10 degrees higher when you leave home for more than a few hours at a time.
• Close off the vents to unused rooms, but don’t close too many supply registers or the system could become imbalanced.
• Reduce indoor heat and humidity by showering with the exhaust fan on and running hot water appliances during cooler times of day.

Run Ceiling Fans

The airflow created by ceiling fans makes you feel up to four degrees cooler. Set the thermostat to 78 degrees, run a fan and feel perfectly comfortable. Each degree you raise the thermostat, you’re improving AC efficiency by 3 to 5 percent. Just remember to turn off the fan when you leave the room to conserve energy.

Replace the HVAC Air Filter

Make it a monthly habit to check and change the air filter, if needed. Don’t wait longer than three months between air filter changes. This maintenance step keeps airflow at the proper level, which is important to prevent the cooling equipment from overworking itself.

Seek Annual Preventative Maintenance

You can change the air filter without help of a technician, but other tasks can only take place during annual preventative maintenance. For example:

• The technician checks and recharges the refrigerant if necessary to improve efficiency by up to 20 percent.
• The technician optimizes airflow over the coil, improving AC efficiency another 5 to 10 percent.
• The technician checks the ductwork and seals leaks or adds insulation as necessary, a step that reduces cooling costs by an average of 10 to 15 percent.

To learn more about improving AC efficiency, contact Grizzle Heating & Air, serving Amarillo, TX and the surrounding communities.