Staying cool inside your home is crucial in the summer heat of Camp Verde. It can be quite a chore when you have a multi-level home since air conditioning struggles to keep up with the upper floors. However, with some practical tips and professional help, you can stay comfortable on every floor of your house without shelling out a ton of extra cash to run your air conditioner.
Close the Doors and Windows
Keep all your doors and windows closed when the air conditioner is running. You’ll keep the hot outside air out of the house and seal in the cold air from your air conditioner. Even a single open window can ruin the efficiency of your air conditioner and make your home harder to cool.
Use Your Window Coverings
Sunlight glaring through the windows can add a few extra degrees to your home. Close your shades to keep the sun from heating up your room. Conversely, in the colder months, you can open the shades to allow the sunlight to give you added heat.
Cook Outside
Avoid turning on the oven when the temperature soars and your air conditioner works harder to cool your house. Cook outside on the grill or enjoy a simple meal that requires no heating. Likewise, hand your laundry out on the clothesline to dry rather than turning on the clothes dryer. As a bonus, you’ll get that fresh outdoor scent on your clothing. Skip the heat-producing appliances when the outside temperature reaches extremes to avoid heating your home.
Catch a Breeze From the Ceiling Fans
Switch the ceiling fans to a counterclockwise direction in the summer. Use them to catch a cool breeze as the counterclockwise motion produces a downdraft. Ceiling fans are an excellent cooling option without lowering the thermostat and using more energy.
Open the Vents
Clear your vents of obstructions, ensuring you don’t have furniture or other belongings covering them. Clear an opening around the vent so that the cold air has room to blow and cool your space. Consider wiping down the vents and vacuuming out the opening to ensure dust and dirt aren’t keeping cold air from sufficiently cooling your room. Ensure all vents are open, even in rooms you don’t use often. Closing vents can cause cycling issues for your air conditioner.
Change Your Air Filters
Your HVAC air filters trap dust and debris, keeping it out of your system and preventing contaminants from blowing through the vents. Change the air filters every one to three months so they do not clog. Clogged filters may cause your air conditioner to work harder to push cold air through and could diminish the efficiency of your unit. You’ll also notice more particles in the air when you have a dirty air filter.
Clean the Outside Condenser Unit
The outside unit of your air conditioner is the condenser unit. Wipe the condenser unit and make sure it is free of debris. Clear away any twigs, leaves, or other debris from the top and sides of the unit. You can clean the outside of the unit with a garden hose or wet cloth. Do not pour or spray water inside the unit. Clear an area of two feet on all sides of the unit so it doesn’t get smothered. Do not store any large items near the condenser unit that could cause damage if they fall or get blown over and hit the unit. When placing your unit, consider putting it in a shaded area so the unit doesn’t get as hot.
Schedule Maintenance
Routine maintenance is essential to keep your air conditioner efficient, reliable, and safe. Schedule maintenance annually to ensure your machine is ready to give you efficient summer cooling.
- Inspect mechanical parts and components
- Lubricate moving parts
- Clean evaporator and condenser coils
- Clear condensate drain
- Check refrigerant level
- Assess electrical wiring and power connections
- Test safety controls and mechanisms
Not only will you get greater efficiency with annual maintenance, but you’ll also enjoy fewer unexpected breakdowns. When your air conditioner runs more efficiently and is tuned regularly, you’ll get more years of function from the system. These benefits turn into money you can save throughout the year and for years to come.
Check the Air Ducts
Cold air travels through the air ducts to cool your home. Holes or weak spots in the ductwork can allow the cold air to escape behind the walls or beneath the floors and not make it to the vents. Have a technician inspect your ducts and seal any holes, gaps, or weak connections to keep air in the air ducts. For complicated air duct problems, we can replace portions of ducts and ensure they are tightly connected and sealed.
Insulation is a good idea if you have exposed ductwork or air ducts in areas that get especially warm. Insulation helps keep the warm air outside the ducts away from the cold air you need for cooling your home.
Professional duct cleaning is another form of maintenance that you should schedule every three to five years. Duct cleaning uses a high-powered vacuum and compressed air to clear dirt, dust, and debris from your ducts so cold air can travel through more efficiently.
Ductless Mini-Splits
A ductless mini-split system provides directional cooling in hard-to-cool areas of the house. A mini-split has an indoor and outdoor unit. Mini-splits do not require air ducts, making installation quick and easy. Consider a mini-split for bedrooms, upper levels, and other hot spots in your home for added comfort without having to drop the thermostat setting on your central air conditioner.
Install a Zoned System
Zoned cooling systems provide a separate thermostat for different areas of your house, allowing you to control different zones separately. Zoned systems are great for multi-level homes, as you can run the thermostat upstairs separately from the one downstairs and enjoy comfort in both areas without overworking your air conditioner. If you lower the thermostat upstairs, you’ll get cold air from the vents up there while nothing blows out of the downstairs vents. Zoned systems are excellent for providing efficiency by allowing you to control each area independently and stay comfortable without sacrificing the rest of the house.
At Goettl's High Desert Mechanical, we take pride in being your number-one expert for all your heating and cooling needs. Count on us for skilled repairs, comprehensive AC maintenance, and expert installations. We service air conditioners, heaters, heat pumps, and mini-splits. We also help with air duct problems with sealing, replacement, and insulation. We can install a zoning system for greater comfort and efficiency and offer air quality services to help you breathe better. Our skilled and experienced plumbers provide drain cleaning, household plumbing repair services, garbage disposal installation and repair, and water heater services. You’ll get the most dependable and professional service when you rely on us for your heating, air conditioning, and plumbing needs.
Keep cool this summer in Camp Verde when you follow these efficiency tips and get assistance from the experienced HVAC technicians at Goettl's High Desert Mechanical.
