Repair & Maintenance

Is Your A/C Working Too Hard?

With summer on the way and temperatures about to soar, it’s a good time to think about how well your cooling system is performing and what you can do to keep your energy costs down.

A/C Maintenance Man Working on HVAC System

There are many factors that affect how hard your system has to work to cool your home, including:

Climate—both outside temperature and humidity
Level of insulation and amount of air leakage in a house
Amount of south, east and west facing glass
Whether the glass is single-, double- or triple-glazed or low-emissivity or gas-filled
Window treatments kept closed or open
Shading from trees, roof overhangs, awnings or buildings
How much heat is generated by people and equipment inside the house

Some of these factors are out of your control, but there are some you can fix as well as many other ways to help reduce your energy costs. What you can do:

Keep up with routine A/C maintenance, like yearly tune-ups
Change or clean your system’s air filters at least once a month
Insulate your walls, windows, doors and attic
Install a programmable thermostat to adjust your temperature and make sure it is set on "auto"
Check for household leaks in fireplaces, windows and doors
Use ceiling fans and switch them to turn in a counter-clockwise direction
Shut your exterior doors and windows tightly and keep window treatments closed during the day
Plant trees on the sunny side of your home
Close unused air vents

While you’re taking a break this summer, give your A/C a break by using these tips to make sure it’s running as efficiently as possible. With the money you’ll save on your energy bills, you can enjoy more fun in the sun.

Next > Lifespan of Modern-Day Appliances