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How to Take the Strain Off Your AC System

How to Take the Strain Off Your HVAC Unit

Your air conditioning system works hard to keep you comfortable, especially here in Texas. Don’t make it work any harder than it has to.

Taking some of the stress off of this critical appliance can help you avoid costly air conditioner breakdowns and to extend the life of your system. A few simple steps will make a big difference in the performance of your air conditioning equipment and your overall comfort. Here are seven tips to minimize strain and take some of the load off of your central air unit.

Use Your Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are a great friend to HVAC systems when it comes to keeping your home cool. During the summer months, set your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise to create a downdraft. The cooling wind effect can make a room feel up to eight degrees cooler. That means you can bump up the temperature on your thermostat without sacrificing your comfort.

How to Take the Strain Off Your AC System

Install Thermal Curtains 

Thermal curtains and draperies are specifically designed to reduce the transfer of warm air and cool air through your windows. By creating an added barrier between the outdoors and your Texas home, your thermal curtains can ensure that you stay cool and comfortable indoors while blocking out direct sunlight. Thermal curtains can also reduce strain on your HVAC system by minimizing the amount of work your air conditioning system must perform to keep things cool, even on the hottest days of summer.

Set Your Thermostat Higher

It may seem outrageous to bump up your HVAC system during the summer by several degrees, but if you’re looking to save money and reduce AC strain, this is the way to go. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends keeping your home thermostat at 78 degrees or higher during the summer months. This is the most cost-effective temperature, helping maintain adequate comfort while keeping your utility budget in check. Make this your thermostat’s setpoint, and leave it. Constantly tampering with your thermostat adds wear and tear to your AC unit.

Install a Programmable Thermostat or Smart Thermostat

Installing a smart or programmable thermostat in your home can be an effective way to reduce the strain on your HVAC system. By programming the thermostat to lower the temperature during times when you are not at home or asleep, you can reduce the workload on your HVAC system and lower your energy usage. Meanwhile, a smart thermostat is designed to learn your preferred temperature settings and automatically adjust them based on your daily routine, weather changes, and other factors. You can also control smart thermostats remotely through your smartphone or other electronic devices, allowing you to adjust the temperature settings even when you are away from your house so your system does not have to work overtime. 

Change Air Filters

Dirty filters can have a huge impact on the functionality of your AC unit. Changing your air filter regularly is one of the most important ways to keep your air conditioning system running smoothly. A clogged, dirty air filter puts a serious strain on your HVAC system, resulting in reduced airflow and requiring it to run longer to reach your desired temperature. All that extra effort will be reflected in your energy bill. Replace your filter every 30 days to reduce your cooling costs by as much as 15%.

Create an Airtight Home

When there are drafts in your home, this allows the heat inside during the summer and the cold inside during the winter. As a result, it puts extra strain on your HVAC unit, requiring it to work harder to regulate the indoor temperature. Keeping windows and doors tightly shut and having good insultation in your home are great ways to ensure less heat enters your home during the hot summer months. 

Schedule an Air Conditioner Tune-Up with Lex Air 

Regular maintenance can help reduce the strain on your heating and cooling system by ensuring that it is functioning optimally and efficiently. A well-maintained system is less likely to suffer from breakdowns and malfunctions, which can cause unnecessary wear and tear on the system and lead to increased strain. During your Carrollton AC tune-up appointment, Lex Air technicians will clean and inspect key components of the system, such as the filters, coils, and ductwork to ensure that they are functioning properly and not clogged with dirt and debris. Additionally, regular maintenance can help identify and address any potential issues before they become major problems, which can help prevent costly HVAC repair and replacements down the line. By investing in regular HVAC maintenance, you also minimize energy consumption, which is good for both the environment and your wallet as it cuts down the amount you spend on utility bills. 

Why It’s Important to Reduce Stress on Your AC Unit

There are numerous benefits to utilizing ways to reduce the strain on your air conditioner. First and foremost, reducing the strain on your AC system can lead to significant cost savings on your energy bills, as an overworked system will consume more energy and be less efficient. Additionally, reducing the strain on your system can help extend its lifespan, meaning that you will need to replace it less frequently and can save money on costly repairs. By investing in ways to reduce the strain on your HVAC system, such as installing a programmable thermostat and scheduling regular maintenance appointments, you can also improve the indoor air quality in your home, as a well-maintained system will be better equipped to filter out pollutants and allergens. Overall, reducing the strain on your HVAC system can lead to a more comfortable and healthy home environment, while also providing significant financial benefits.

Call Lex Air Conditioning and Heating Today

At Lex Air Conditioning and Heating, we are committed to providing the best services and solutions for our customers in Dallas, Frisco, Carrollton, and the surrounding communities. We work on all types of air conditioning systems and provide the AC repair options you need to keep your cool this summer and minimize the strain on your AC system. 

Give our HVAC experts a call today at (972) 217-8955 to schedule an appointment with our team. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you.

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