You probably won’t meet a lot of neighbors in the Nashville area who aren’t grateful for the use of central air conditioning. It’s necessary to not only make homes in our area comfortable, but bearable! However, if your AC system isn’t working the way you expect it to, then it may be time to call in for repairs, particularly if you skipped your preventive maintenance appointment (it’s not too late to get this on your schedule, as a side note!)
Repair needs aren’t the only reason that your AC system may not be working as efficiently as it normally does, though. This is good news! This means there may be something you can do about it. Read on for some tips on how to use your air conditioning system most efficiently this summer, and give us a call if you suspect any operational or performance problems.
Raise the Temperature
You may be wondering about this advice, since it sounds counterintuitive, right? But bear with us, please.
We don’t expect you to make your living space hotter than it needs to be. But you may be turning your thermostat settings down much lower than you actually need to in order to maintain comfort. Some owners set their thermostat down as low as 70°F when the reality is that most people are perfectly comfortable in their homes with a thermostat set at 78°!
Additionally, you’ll save energy and subsequent money by raising the temperature when you aren’t home, or while you’re sleeping. There’s no need to waste energy by cooling a home you aren’t using at the time or by lowering the temperature far more than you actually need to.
Use Your Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are incapable of keeping you cool on their own. After all, a fan doesn’t lower the temperature of the room that it’s in. But it can help your body feel cooler. This is because it helps sweat to evaporate from your body, which is our natural way of keeping cool. On a mild day, a ceiling fan may be sufficient to keep you cool and keep your bills lower (as long as people are in the room(s) where the ceiling fan is being used).
When you’re using your air conditioning system, ceiling fans help push cool air down and keep warm air rising. Therefore, pairing your ceiling fans with your central air conditioner allows you to run that air conditioner at a higher temperature, lowering your monthly energy costs.
Change Your Air Filter Regularly
The air filter that comes with your air conditioner during installation is in place to protect the interior components of the air conditioner from dust, dirt, and other debris. If the air filter gets too clogged up it makes it understandably difficult for air to circulate throughout your home.
This means it’s more difficult for your AC system to keep you cool, and your system can start to experience problems and even freeze up as a result. Be sure to change your air filter each and every month so your system can work as it’s meant to.
At Covenant Heating & Cooling, we are “Dedicated to the Promise of Serving You.” Contact us today for exceptional services on your air conditioning in Nashville, TN!