Whether your bills skyrocket during summer in Hillcrest, CA has a lot to do with how well your air conditioner is running. With cooling costs making up to nearly half your monthly electric bills during the summer, it’s important you do all you can to keep the system in tip-top shape. Read on and learn about some of the things that can impact how efficiently your HVAC system runs.
How Often You Change Your Filters
As air moves through your vents, it passes through the filter, catching excess bits of pollen, dirt, and dust, keeping them out of your air conditioning system. When you don’t clean your filter often enough, these particles build up and clog the filter, lessening airflow in the system. This lack of airflow causes numerous problems, from hot and cold spots in the home to a reduction in indoor air quality.
Fixing this problem is simple. Change the filter before summer begins. Experts recommend changing your HVAC system’s air filter every 1-3 months to help maximize system efficiency and to help ensure that the air circulating through your home is fresh and clean.
Age of Your Air Conditioner
All good things come to an end, including your air conditioner. The average air conditioner lasts between 15 to 20 years before it for sure needs replacing, but they begin to lose their efficiency somewhere around the decade mark. In fact, models past the 10-year point are rarely cost-effective to run, especially when considering recent advances in cooling technology.
You might think making a few quick repairs will fully fix functionality, but as your system ages, the repairs will come more often. No amount of repairs will fix an already decaying system. With maintenance on an older air conditioner growing pricier each year, getting a replacement is often the best course of action.
There are a wide variety of factors that contribute to HVAC efficiency. Check out next month’s blog for several more of these factors and some more helpful tips. If you’re concerned about your HVAC equipment’s efficiency level, Call West Coast Heating, Air Conditioning and Solar today.
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