When the weather begins to warm up, the last thing you likely want is to be uncomfortable in your home. You may automatically turn down your thermostat, buy a larger air conditioner unit, or shift the vents to help you better cool your home.
However, you can make some mistakes to keep your home cooler that can cost you a lot of money. The following are some common mistakes homeowners make with their air conditioner system that can hurt the wallet.
1. Lowering the Temperature to Cool the Home Faster
The first mistake is lowering your thermostat too low to cool your home faster. No matter how low you keep the thermostat, the home will not cool any faster than if you leave it at a steady temperature. This is because the air conditioner only produces cool air at one steady pace.
When you keep the thermostat very low, you only prevent the system from cycling off more frequently. The air produced is the same temperature. You do not get more cool air when the thermostat is set very low.
Doing this will ultimately cost you more in utility bills. You may also have more maintenance bills. The harder you run your air conditioner, the more problems you can have with it. The system will wear down prematurely, and components can break with extended use.
To avoid this issue, try to keep your thermostat at a steady temperature instead of adjusting it to a lower degree. Doing so prevents the need for the system to work too hard.
2. Turning the Air Conditioner Off When You Are Not Home
When you leave the house, you may turn the air conditioner off to save money on your utility bills. This is a mistake homeowners commonly make.
When you turn the air conditioner off during the hot weather months, your home will be uncomfortably warm when you get home. When you turn the system on, the air conditioner has to work extra hard to cool your home to a comfortable temperature. This not only taxes the system but also can increase your energy bill.
Instead of turning the air conditioner off completely, increase the temperature on the thermostat several degrees. This will prevent the air conditioner from cycling on and off as often and will be better for the system overall.
3. Waiting Too Long to Replace Your Air Conditioner Unit
If you have held onto your old, inefficient air conditioner, you probably spend much more money than you would with a newer unit. You may think that you do not need to worry about replacing an air conditioner system that still works until it stops working completely. This can be a mistake, especially if you are on the cusp of replacing your system anyway.
If you have an older model air conditioner, chances are it uses more energy than a newer, more efficient unit will. Newer model air conditioner systems utilize newer technology that cools your home at a much lower energy output. You may want to reconsider not replacing an older unit, especially if you want to save money in the long run.
An air conditioning system is one of the most significant and complex components of a home. The HVAC constitutes much of your home’s energy usage, so avoiding potential mistakes can help you save a lot of money. If you have any questions about your air conditioning system, please contact us at Steele Brothers Heating, Inc. We will be happy to work with you on all your air conditioning needs and look forward to hearing from you soon.
