Here at Service Central we’ve found a few good tips so that you can get your air conditioner operating as efficiently as possible. Saving you money and energy while your air conditioner works even better!
1. Prior to installation, find a nice shady spot, or construct a shade specifically for the air conditioner (or, in a split system, for the outdoor unit).
Air conditioners operate most efficiently while the external air temperature is cooler. By providing your air conditioner with shade from the sun you can help to lessen this temperature. It is also important to ensure there is clear, unobstructed airflow to the unit.
2. Install blinds and external shades for windows.
Heat travels easily through glass. While we close blinds and windows at night to keep the heat in, the same should be done during days in summer to keep the heat out. Close the blinds early in the morning before the sun can warm up the house and wait until it cools down outside in the evening to open them again. This will help reduce the load on the air conditioner.
3. Set the air conditioner temperature in winter to between 18-21°C and in summer to between 23-26°C.
While there can be a strong urge to have extremely cool temperatures in Summer and very warm temperatures in Winter, this is not necessary and puts an additional load on your air conditioner. Technically, during summer the humidity indoors will be lower, making it feel cooler even with a slightly warmer temperature set. For each degree you step outside of these temperatures you will consume approximately 8% more energy, adding up to a lot of money when your next bill comes.
4. With machines that have adjustable air slots, position them towards the floor when heating and towards the ceiling when cooling.
As hot air rises and cool air falls this will help to evenly distribute the air throughout the room.
5. Inspect and clean filters regularly
The amount of dust and dirt that can build up in your filters is quite phenomenal. It can lead to blocking the air and forcing your air conditioner into working harder. Cleaning the filters is usually a simple, easy procedure that can be done in a few minutes with a vacuum cleaner. We suggest you look to your unit’s manual for guidance.
6. On a hot day, try and turn the air conditioner on as early as possible
If you can turn your air conditioner on while the temperature outside is still relatively cool this will increase the efficiency of the air conditioner as there is less difference between the internal and external temperatures, making it easier for the air conditioner to reach the desired temperature and then maintain it.
7. On very humid days have the fan speed set to slow
During humid weather having your fan set to a slower speed will actually cool more effectively as the slower the air moves through the cooling equipment, the more moisture can be removed from it. You can also consider using an interior fan at the same time to help circulate the cooler air throughout the room.
8. Don’t set up televisions or lamps near the thermostat for your air conditioner
Lamps, televisions and other appliances can emit a fair amount of heat which will affect the thermostat’s reading and can lead to it misreading the room’s temperature and over-cooling the house.
9. Have your air conditioner regularly serviced
Various parts of the air conditioner can become blocked or break down, leading to less efficiency. It’s important to try and have your air conditioner serviced each year as you come into summer to ensure it’s running to its full potential. You can check for yourself to see that it is sitting level; that the seal between the air conditioner and the house is not damaged; and through passing a stiff wire through the air conditioner’s drainage pipes you can ensure that they haven’t become clogged.
We hope that with these quick air conditioning tips you can have your air conditioner running at its most efficient this year, helping you to cut down on running costs and energy usage.