5 Ways to Maximize Air Conditioner Performance in Your Bay Area Home

5 Ways to Maximize Air Conditioner Performance in Your Bay Area Home
September is the warmest month of the year in most of the Bay Area, which means that many of our air conditioning customers will be running their cooling systems more often than usual. We want to help ensure that your air conditioner runs efficiently and without problems, so today we’re going to offer 5 tips on how to maximize air conditioner performance!

5 ways to maximize air conditioner performance

• 1. Stay on top of your air filter changes. Cabrillo is happy to install, tune-up and repair your air conditioner, but one maintenance task that is your responsibility is to check/change/clean your air filter every month. In fact, one of the top reasons that homeowners need to call us for an air conditioner repair is that they have been running their system with a dirty filter. By keeping a clean filter installed, you can prevent major efficiency issues with your air conditioner and avoid system breakdowns.
• 2. Use energy-saving thermostat temperatures. The higher you set your thermostat, the less stress you’ll put on your air conditioner. During the hottest days of the year, every degree that you raise your thermostat will go far in saving energy and preventing your system from overheating or breaking down. Use the highest temperature setting that your family is comfortable with, and be sure to raise your thermostat by about 5 degrees during the hours of the day that nobody is home. This can be done easily by installing a programmable thermostat!
• 3. Close your drapes and blinds during the day. If the drapes and blinds on your windows are open during the day, heat from the sun will infiltrate your home. This forces your air conditioner to work harder to compensate for the added heat. You can help ease the load on your air conditioner and maximize its performance by closing drapes and blinds during the day, especially during the week when your home is likely empty!
• 4. Keep all of your air vents clear. Your air conditioner works hard to produce cool air, but it doesn’t mean much if that air isn’t distributed properly throughout your home. Make sure that all of the air vents in your home are open and clear of any obstructions so that your air conditioner doesn’t waste energy or work harder than it needs to.
• 5. Seal up home air leaks. Many homes have openings in their foundations, especially around windows and doors that allow cool air to escape and warm air to get inside. Air leaks like these will force your air conditioner to work harder to make up for the loss of cool air, and they can significantly raise your energy bills. Make sure that all of your windows and doors are properly sealed with caulk and weatherstripping in order to keep cool air inside your home where it belongs.

If you have any questions about how to maximize your air conditioner’s performance, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Cabrillo, your Bay Area plumbing, heating and air conditioning contractor.