12 Guaranteed Strategies to Make Your AC Work Better

With soaring temperatures across the globe and the UK in recent years, keeping your property cool can get tricky. Maintaining optimal temperature requires more than just turning the switch of your air conditioner.

Fortunately, there are tips and strategies you can employ to maximise cooling from your AC without breaking the bank. From regular maintenance to investing in smart climate control products, this blog will explore the top 12 strategies to make your AC work better during the hot summer months.

1: Maintain AC Filter Cleanliness.

AC filters are essential to your air conditioner’s ability to remove contaminants from the air and to function at peak performance. Dust, pollen, and other airborne particles are trapped by the filters before they can enter the system and be distributed throughout your home.

However, the filters can become clogged with debris over time. When this happens, your AC has to work harder to maintain your desired temperature, which can result in reduced cooling efficiency and higher energy bills.

Hence, cleaning the filters every 2 weeks and replacing them every 3-4 months is imperative. There are different types of AC filters in the market. Picking the right one will also help to make your AC work better depending on your needs.

Find out more on what happens if you don’t change your HVAC air filters.

 

2: Invest in a Programmable Thermostat.

A programmable thermostat for HVAC units can result in significant cost savings, increased convenience, and a comfortable environment. Smart thermostats allow you to create personalised heating/cooling according to your daily routine. Once you have set your schedules, the smart thermostat will automatically implement your settings, helping your AC run efficiently.

Smart thermostats can also detect whether you are in your property or not and automatically adjust your settings. When you leave, the thermostat will quickly adapt and reduce AC usage to help you save money on your energy bills. When you return, the thermostat will adjust your settings to ensure your indoor space is comfortable again. This works effectively for both domestic and commercial settings.

Smart thermostats can be integrated with other smart home devices, such as voice assistants and home automation systems. This allows for even greater control and automation of your indoor climate, further optimizing energy usage and increasing convenience.

3: Invest in a Smart AC Controller for Individual Room Cooling.

Smart AC controllers are particularly helpful for ductless systems because they provide a high level of control and flexibility in managing individual rooms’ temperature and energy usage. These smart climate control devices allow you to control your AC using a phone and equip it with various smart features that enhance your aircon’s efficiency.

They help your unit to cool better and reduce AC costs by allowing you to set customised schedules for each room and making sure that your unit will only be running when needed.

 

4: Avoid Direct Sunlight Entering the Room.

If direct sunlight falls on your room, it can be a challenge for the AC to cool down that area. To make sure your cooling system runs optimally and effectively, try closing the blinds or curtains to block the heat.

It’s best to do that early in the day so you can reduce the amount of heat entering inside. Similarly, planting trees to block out the direct sun rays also helps cool down your space.

 

5: Insulate Your Property.

Insulation creates a barrier between the indoor and outdoor environment, which helps reduce the amount of heat that enters or leaves the room. This can be achieved by insulating walls, ceilings, floors, and doors with materials such as fiberglass or foam.

When a room is well insulated, the cool air produced by the system stays within the room for longer, allowing your AC to cycle on and off less frequently. This makes your AC work better and even helps to extend AC lifespan. Plus, it can also help you save up to 15% on heating/cooling costs.

6: Choose the Right AC Size.

An air conditioner that is larger than required will short cycle every now and then, which means that it will run for a short period and then turn off. In this scenario, the AC unit is unable to adequately remove moisture from the air, which can affect your indoor climate and have negative effects for your physical and mental health.

On the other hand, a smaller unit burns more electricity as it keeps running for longer periods trying to achieve your set temperature. Installing the correct AC size will help achieve a comfortable environment and helps to save energy.

 

7: Focus on Preventative HVAC Maintenance.

A well-functioning air conditioner is dependent on regular maintenance. The effectiveness of an air conditioner might degrade as its parts get dusty or damaged over time and non-maintained AC units can be dangerous!

If you want your AC to cool better, it’s important to focus on regular AC maintenance. They can increase your unit’s efficiency, prolong the life of the components, and protect it against malfunctions. Click here to find out the difference between planned and reactive maintenance.

 

8: Clean the Condenser Unit Outside.

The outdoor unit of an air conditioner is often overlooked, leading to diminished AC efficiency. The outdoor unit needs to release heat efficiently for the AC system to work properly.

If the unit is clogged with debris, heat dissipation gets affected, causing the system to overwork. This leads to decreased performance and costly repairs. Make sure to regularly clean the area around the outdoor unit for efficient cooling. Strategies to make your AC work better don’t get much better than this!

 

9: Keep the Drain System Clean.

The drain system in your HVAC system removes condensation and excess moisture from the system. If the AC drain becomes clogged, it can cause water to accumulate in the system, leading to various issues that can affect its performance. One of the most prevalent problems that might result from a clogged drain is a decrease in cooling efficiency.

This happens because your unit has to work harder than usual, resulting in increased strain on the unit and high electricity bills. Plus, your unit won’t be able to adequately remove moisture from the air, leading to high humidity levels. Here’s how to maintain ideal humidity levels in summer.

Mold and bacteria can flourish in a drain that is not flowing freely, which can have an adverse effect on your indoor air quality and lead to unpleasant odours. Furthermore, these impurities can damage the AC unit, leading to even more performance concerns.

 

10: Pay Attention to Your Thermostat Placement.

The placement of your thermostat can drastically affect the efficiency and performance of your air conditioning system. It is important to ensure that it’s not too close to a heat source such as direct sunlight, lamps, or electric appliances; otherwise, the temperature readings will be inaccurate.

Also, avoid installing it near draughty doors and windows, as this can result in inconsistent readings. Since the thermostat measures your average home temperature, it is recommended to install it in a central area of your home.

Another place that can serve as the best location is the room that you frequently use, such as the living room.

11: Seal Your Ductwork.

Leaky ducts can cause certain areas of your property to be cooler or warmer than others, leading to hot spots and cold spots, which can be uncomfortable. Insulating your ductwork can improve the overall comfort of your home by maintaining consistent temperatures throughout the building. Make sure to seal and leaks or get in touch and we will help transform your property!

 

12: Clean Your Vents.

When your AC vents are blocked with dirt and debris, it can result in reduced airflow in your property. To ensure maximum AC efficiency, keep your indoor vents free from dust and debris.

Inspect all the vents and clean them with a vacuum or compressed air to release the debris from the vents. Also, remove any items, such as furniture pieces, so that they don’t block the airflow coming out of your HVAC unit.

Tried-and-Tested Ways to Enhance AC Performance.

Enhancing your air conditioner’s effectiveness will not only bring immediate comfort in these hot summer months, but it can also save money on air conditioning costs. There are plenty of ways to get your AC to work better without spending too much. So don’t let the summer get to you take action now and beat the heat like a pro and use our strategies to make your AC work better!

Make sure to get in touch with our specialists and In the meantime, follow our journey on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram for more handy HVAC insights and news.