Ten Most Common Air Conditioning Mistakes to Avoid

Here some of the biggest air conditioning mistakes people make, as well as how to reduce your usage and utility bills.

Mistake No. 1: Bigger is Not Always Better
Many people are inclined to buy  a bigger air conditioner, assuming it will make the home colder faster. However, an oversized air conditioner doesn’t generate uniform temperatures or reduce humidity. It will also run inefficiently by cycling on and off too quickly.

Mistake No. 2: Hiding the A/C
The air conditioner may not be pretty, but neither are excessive summer electric bills. Don’t try to hide air conditioners behind shrubs or other plants. It will hinder ventilation, clog condenser coils and make the air conditioner run less efficiently.

Mistake No. 3: Ignoring Maintenance
Air conditioners are deceptively self-sufficient. Many homeowners ignore basic maintenance that can improve efficiency and comfort, and extend the life of the air conditioner. (Call today and take advantage of our spring tune-up prices.) 

Mistake No. 4: Closing Unused Vents
Opinions vary on the efficiency of closing vents and doors to unused rooms. In many cases, this can decrease the efficiency of a central air conditioning system. Consult us before closing off any parts of the house for the summer. Also be careful about closing off any rooms that may have a thermostat.

Mistake No. 5: Letting the Outside
In Any air-conditioning system will struggle if you leave doors and windows open during the heat of the day – or let cool air in at night. Keeping your doors and windows open, while the air conditioner is running, forces it to work overtime to pull the humidity out of your home.

Mistake No. 6: Turning the Temperature Way Down
If you are comfortable at 78 degrees, don’t come home and turn the thermostat down to 70 degrees. It will not get you to 78 any faster. It will just skip past 78 and waste energy getting to excessively low temps.

Mistake No. 7: Heating Up the Thermostat
Make sure lamps, televisions, stereos or other heat-generators are not close enough to the thermostat to accidentally drive up the temperature reading and overwork the air conditioner.

Mistake No. 8: Not Using Ceiling Fans or Running Them Backwards
Many people think their air conditioner is a substitute for ceiling fans. Instead, they should be used in tandem. According to Energy Star, make sure the fan is switched to push air downward (typically counter-clockwise). It may seem more logical to reverse the fan so it is pulling hot air upward. However, the downward airflow creates a “wind chill effect,” which makes you feel cooler.

Mistake No. 9: Using the Wrong Fans
On the other hand, exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom can push cool, conditioned air out of the house. They should not be used more than absolutely necessary in the summer.

Mistake No. 10: Ignoring Maintenance
Yes, we know this is on the list twice, but forgetting to maintain your equipment is the biggest mistake we see and is worth mentioning again.

Call us today at 651-398-1100 to schedule your spring tune-up appointment!