Air conditioners have made modern life in the South possible, and the overwhelming majority of homeowners have an AC system. If that is the case, why are we so bad at using them? From avoiding the need for Katy AC services to set the temperature too low, here are all of the wrong ways we use our air conditioners and how to fix these bad habits.

Not Cleaning or Replacing Filters

Every air conditioner has a filter to keep dust off of the coils in the air handler and to filter particulates like dust and pet dander out of the air. Depending on the type of filter in your air conditioner, you should replace it once every three to six months to improve your system’s performance. Not sure if your filter needs to be replaced, pop open your air intake screen to see if it is visibly dusty.

Keeping the Thermostat Set to One Temperature

Most modern thermostats are programmable, so you can set the thermostat to different temperatures throughout the day on a schedule. People typically sleep more soundly when it is cooler, but there is no reason to cool your house to 74 degrees when you are at work. If you do not have a programmable thermostat, call a Katy AC services professional to have one installed.

Not Using Fans

Speaking of cost-saving measures, fans can help you save even more. In the summer, the moving air produced by fans can make the air feel 3 to 5 degrees cooler than it would with still air. They do use a smaller amount of electricity which can lower your cooling bills by 10 to 15 percent. In the winter, they can also help save energy by mixing your home’s air. Remember that hot air rises and a fan circulates that hot air near the ceiling back down towards the floor.

Letting Conditioned Air Escape

If your doors and windows are not sealed, you are going to waste a lot of money and energy due to air leaks. If you feel a draft, hire a contractor or handyman, or if you are handy yourself, pick up a tube of caulk and some weather stripping to seal up your home.

Schedule Maintenance

The best way to avoid a Katy air conditioning repair is to schedule a professional checkup just like you do with your car. The level of oil in your car is similar to refrigerant levels. Low levels of either can cause problems. A technician will go down a checklist of parts and operating parameters to ensure that everything is working well. Do not want to worry about air filters? Sign up for a Katy AC services planned maintenance program, and it will be taken care of for you!

Need a Katy AC repair or other HVAC services to keep your system running smoothly? Check out AirDepot’s list of services, or give us a call today.

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