Do you feel you are pushing your AC too hard? There are ways you can tell if you have an overworked air conditioning unit. For example, high energy bills, especially during the summer months is one indicator. If your AC is constantly having issues that require repair, such as freezing up, that is another indicator. Fortunately, there are four ways you can reduce the strain you place on your air conditioner.
Pinpoint Body Areas in Need of Cooling
If you are feeling heated, rather than cranking up your air conditioner, consider cooling down by pinpointing the hottest areas of your body. According to an infrared camera, the hottest parts of the body include:
Since these areas of the body experience some of the most blood flow, they are often the hottest parts of your body. One suggestion is that you place your pillow case in a plastic bag and place the bag in the freezer. Take the pillow case out just before you go to sleep. The chill from the pillow case will help cool your body at one of its hottest points—your head.
Additionally, your feet and hands are often the coldest parts of your body, so make sure you remove your socks at bedtime to help you feel a bit cooler at night. You may also want to consider sleeping with your feet poking out from underneath the covers.
Plan Landscaping with Cooling in Mind
A carefully planned and landscaped yard complete with vines, shrubs, and trees tall enough to shade your home can reduce your energy bill by 40%. Large shady trees allow you to take it easy on your AC unit. In fact, temperature differences shaded and unshaded areas range from approximately 14 to 35 degrees.
You can strategically place vines along outer walls that experience prolonged sun exposure. However, it is best to trim back and remove vines before the colder months arrive so you are not losing out on solar heat gain. For best results, choose an annual vine. Annual vines tend to grow rather quickly, therefore providing you with a thick enough cover to reduce your air conditioning usage.
Change the Way You Cook
The heat you feel from your stove is transferred throughout the room, and can make your AC push harder to cool the air around you.
When the weather is warmer, consider using your stove a little less. Fresh salads, fruits, and even raw veggies require little to no cooking, which means you are not generating as much heat. Of course, that does not mean you have to abandon the idea of cheeseburgers, chicken, and steak. Instead, taking your cooking outdoors.
If you do not own a grill, now is the time to join the ranks of those who do. Summer grilling is popular among many families and it reduces the amount of heat you generate within your home. Another idea is to invest in a summer kitchen, which is essentially an outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens and grills will allow you to enjoy a fabulously cooked meal without overheating your home and overworking your air conditioner.
Reconsider Where You Rest Your Head
If you own a two-storey house, it may be wise to reconsider where you lay your head at night. If you have bedrooms on the second story of your house, keep in mind that heat rises. Reduce your AC usage by creating a sleeping area in the downstairs of your home. Since cool air settles, you will often find that it is cooler downstairs than it is upstairs, which means you will not have to crank your air conditioner at night just to feel comfortable.
By applying these efficient tips, you will be able to give your air conditioner a break before it breaks you. If you feel you have overworked your AC and it is not working properly, contact a professional for help. An HVAC professional can conduct air conditioning repair and provide you with additional tips to help reduce your AC usage.
Share8 July 2015
Hi there, I am Nadine Bachmier. I am going to discuss the various ways HVAC contractors can keep the temperatures in your business stable. HVAC contractors focus on maintaining and repairing the air conditioner, furnace, and ductwork used in your building. To keep the heating and cooling system in good shape, contractors may need to replace internal components, clean out channels, or simply perform a full upgrade. I will talk about the tools and techniques used to maintain and repair the equipment in your building. I will also share information about new products as they hit the HVAC market. I hope you will follow along and learn all you can.