The hot summer months in Utah can put your air conditioning unit to the test. With temperatures rising over the century mark, your unit is running most of the day to keep your home cool and comfortable. In the summertime, your unit can account for 60-70% of your energy costs. That’s why it’s important that you’re making sure your air conditioner is running as efficiently as possible.

We’ve put together 10 ways to maximize your air conditioner’s efficiency to not only keep costs down but also keep you comfortable and your unit healthy.

Change Your Filter

When your air conditioning system is running often, your filters can get clogged with dirt and dust quickly. If your filter is clogged, your HVAC unit has to run more often and work harder to pull air through the home. A good rule of thumb is to check your air filters monthly so you can identify how quickly your filters are getting dirty. Also, be sure to regularly change your filters per your manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you’re keeping your unit running efficiently.

Keep Vents and Registers Open and Clear

Your home’s air conditioner relies on proper air circulation to work correctly, and when vents and registers are covered or dirty, it slows down the air flow. Never place furniture on top of vents, and make sure miscellaneous items haven’t been placed on them, because this will affect the air production in your home. Also, your return registers should be open from blockage and cleaned often. Vacuum registers regularly, as dust and debris gather on the grates and can cause your system to slow down in production.

Clean Your Condenser

If your outdoor condenser unit is surrounded by plants, debris, or weeds, take time to clear away anything blocking the unit. Cut back the overgrowth and remove weeds to allow for proper airflow around the condenser and improve air conditioning efficiency through your home. If possible, it’s ideal to leave an empty 4-foot radius around your condenser unit.

Install a Smart Thermostat

When the programmable thermostat was introduced, homeowners loved the option to program their thermostats for times they were home and when they were away. But now, smart thermostats are an even better option for homeowners because they learn your habits and can sense when you’re home and when you’re away. You can also change the temperature settings in your home from your phone, so you can choose to cool the home when you’re on your way back from a day out in the sun.

Seal Windows and Doors

To ensure your doors and windows are sealed correctly, turn off the HVAC system and close all windows and doors to your home. Hold up an incense stick or hold a match close to window and door frames. If you see any movement, that could indicate you have an air leak. Regularly check weatherstripping and caulking around doors and windows and sealing them quickly will help keep your home draft-free.

Use Fans Correctly

Fans are a great way to help cool your home in the summertime and save on energy costs. A ceiling fan can actually make a room feel 10 degrees cooler, which is why lots of homeowners have them installed in high-traffic rooms like bedrooms and family rooms. During the summer months, your ceiling fan should run counterclockwise and push air down into the room to make you feel cool.

Add Insulation to Your Home

Your insulation in your home plays a huge role in keeping your Utah home cool. If there are areas in your home that aren’t insulated well, you can be wasting lots of money trying to cool your home. If insulation has been displaced, or is thin in some areas, your air conditioner will be working harder to cool your home, and warm air from the outside will enter your home more easily.

Keep Your Kitchen Cool

In the summer, try not to use your oven or stove tops for cooking. The meals may taste great, but the extra heat can overheat your home. Instead, opt to grill outside, use the microwave, or use crockpots or instapots to prepare your meals. Using the stove can increase the temperature in your home quickly, causing your HVAC unit to have to work extra hard to cool the home.

Increase Ventilation

To keep your home comfortable in the hot summer months and your air conditioner running efficiently, make sure you have proper ventilation in your home. Your HVAC unit needs to work harder because certain areas of your home may not be well-ventilated. If your bathrooms and kitchen have vents with fans, use them to pull moisture out of your home. Moisture in your home can make it stuffy and hot, so use these fans whenever possible when you’re cooking or showering.

Schedule Preventative Maintenance

Making sure your unit is running efficiently by a professional like 1^st American Plumbing, Heating & Air can prolong the life of your unit and improve HVAC performance. Nothing is as effective as having a service technician clean, inspect, and maintain your air conditioner on a regular basis. When you schedule regular routine maintenance, our technicians can spot small problems before they become larger ones.

As you can see, there are many ways to help your air conditioning unit run effectively and efficiently for your home. You want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your AC unit and helping it last as long as possible. And remember, if you need to schedule preventative maintenance or you think your unit may be having issues and need a trusted partner to check it out, be sure to contact 1^st American Plumbing, Heating & Air.