Tips For Using Your AC Efficiently

Your air conditioner's efficiency depends on the nature of the AC and your usage habits. Below are some practical tips on how to use the AC for maximum efficiency.  

Set and Leave the Thermostat

The AC takes time to hit the target temperature. You should not expect your house to cool immediately the minute you switch on the AC. Some people have such expectations that they switch on the AC at low temperatures and then increase the temperature once the house cools.

Unfortunately, the AC works most efficiently if you set the thermostat at a reasonable temperature and leave it at that. The room may take some time to cool, which is normal, but it will do so at reasonable energy consumption. Blasting the AC will increase energy consumption without a corresponding increase in efficiency.

Program the Thermostat

If you have a smart or programmable thermostat, take advantage of those intelligent features to control energy consumption without losing your home's comfort. The benefits of a programmed AC are especially high for those with predictable schedules.

Say you leave the house in the morning and come back in the evening every weekday. You can set the thermostat to lower the temperature when you leave home and raise the temperature for optimal cooling just before you come home. That way, you don't waste energy cooling the house optimally while it's vacant.

Use the Fan Mode

The thermostat's fan mode causes the fan to run even during the AC's off cycle. That way, the air circulates irrespective of the AC's current cycle, and your home remains cool. As a result, the AC spends less energy than it would without the fan mode to cool your house.

Don't Heat the Thermostat

The thermostat reads the ambient temperature in its vicinity and uses it to control the AC's functions. Heat generation around the thermostat will mess with its temperature regulation. For example, cooking or running an electronic device near the thermostat can trigger false temperature readings. Let the thermostat read the real ambient room temperature.

Set the Dampers Appropriately

Zoned ACs use dampers to control airflow to different parts of the house and facilitate independent cooling. ACs use automatic that operate without manual input or manual dampers that you have to control.

If you have manual dampers, ensure you set them correctly to maximize the zoning system's benefits. For example, if you have a multilevel house, you should open the upper-level dampers during the summer and shut them during the winter. 

For more info about air conditioning, contact a local company.