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Air Conditioners
Cooling Tips
- Whole-house fans help cool your home by pulling cool air through the house and exhausting warm air through the attic. Whole-house fan are effective when operated at night and when the outside air is cooler than the inside.
- Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
- Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense.
- Consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use.
- Don't place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The air-conditioning thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
- Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units but not to block the airflow. Place your room air conditioner on the north side of the house. A room air conditioner operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same air conditioner operating in the sun.
- Insulation and sealing air leaks will help your energy performance in the summertime by keeping the cool air inside.
- If your air conditioner is old, consider purchasing a new, energy-efficient model. You could save up to 50% on your utility bill for cooling. Look for the ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide labels.
Maintaining your air conditioner
- Check all hose connections for leaks. Repair leaks
- Make sure the condensate tube is draining freely.
- Change or clean the furnace filter once a month. This is especially important during the summer when dust and allergens circulate.
- Clean the outside compressor by spraying it with a hose.
- Keep plantings at least one foot away for adequate airflow around the entire unit.
- Vacuum registers and air vents regularly.
- Have your ductwork professionally cleaned every few years.
- Keep furniture and drapes away from registers.
- During the winter, keep the compressor covered and remove window air conditioners.
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