This summer, you can save money while staying cool by making some simple improvements to your home’s air conditioning system. From replacing old units with energy-efficient models to cleaning your ductless AC systems, there are a number of ways to upgrade your home’s cooling system. In this article, we’ll explore the top five air conditioning improvements and renovations that can help you beat the heat without breaking the bank.
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Why Consider Spending On Air Conditioning Improvements & Renovations?
For a large portion of the population, air conditioning is a necessity during the heat of the summer months. But did you know that air conditioning can also lead to improved health and overall wellness?
Studies have shown that air conditioning can help improve recovery and vital signs, reduce incidents of cardiac stress, accelerate recuperation, and aid more physical activity. Additionally, air conditioning helps people get better sleep, which leads to improvements in cognitive function and helps reduce the risk of certain diseases.
If you’ve been planning on making some improvements to your home, there’s good reason to consider investing in renovating your air conditioning as well. Not only will it keep you more comfortable, it can support a more healthy life long-term. So which improvements and renovations can you make to your air conditioning system to reap the greatest rewards?
Top 5 Air Conditioning Improvements & Renovations
Whether your wall air conditioner, mini-split, or central air conditioner is on its last legs or relatively new, there are ways you can improve your system without spending a fortune. We’ve assembled this quick list of five things you can do to get more life and cooling power out of your air conditioning system.
1. Always Get An Annual AC Tune-Up
Want to get the most from your AC unit each summer? One of the simplest ways is to call a professional out to perform an AC tune-up each year. This easy step is an affordable way to ensure everything is working properly before more serious issues arise and catch you off-guard. For less than $100, you’ll know just how much life is really left in your system before the summer heat sets in.
2. Replace your air filter regularly.
An easy step you do yourself without the help (or expense) of a professional is replacing your air filter regularly. At most, you should only go three months between filter changes, but changing them monthly is even better. This is especially true if you’re using a standard paper filter that doesn’t offer more robust filtration for allergens.
To know the level of filtration your air filter provides, check that MERV rating. The air filter’s minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) measures how effectively the filter stops dust and other contaminants from passing through the filter and into your home’s air streams. The higher the MERV, the better the filter removes bad things in the air that can cause health problems.
3. Clean The Coils And Cooling Fins
Another step you can take to improve your air conditioning whether it’s a wall AC unit or central HVAC system is to clean the components of the system and remove any obstructions away from the vents.
First, clean the coils and cooling fins of the air conditioner with compressed air to help it circulate heated air away from your home. Next, make sure your vents are open and unobstructed. When vents are blocked by furniture or other objects, the flow of cool air throughout your home is diminished, reducing how well your air conditioning works.
4. Upgrade Your Thermostat
You can improve the efficiency of your AC unit by installing a programmable thermostat. This can breathe new life into an older HVAC system that isn’t as energy efficient. By programming the thermostat to run at specific times rather than keeping the home constantly cold, you can greatly reduce your electric bill. Even better, your air conditioner will last longer because it won’t be running as often.
5. Add insulation to your home.
Finally, your air conditioning can work much better if you make sure that your home is well-insulated. The better you trap in cool air and block out the heat from the sun, the less your air conditioner will have to work to keep up.
Want More Home Improvement & Renovation Tips?
We hope this quick guide to improving and renovating your air conditioner helps you save on energy costs while staying cool. When you want more helpful tips on home improvement and renovation, check out our blog!