For many tenants, heating and cooling bills make up over half of a household’s total utility expenses. During warm weather, using air conditioning can drive up costs significantly. As a property owner, performing essential maintenance on your air conditioning unit and adopting simple strategies can help keep utilities as low as possible, optimize your air conditioning system, and keep expenses under control.
Perform essential HVAC maintenance regularly
Cleaning your air conditioning unit annually is key to increase your air conditioning unit’s efficiency. For ground-level units, clear away any leaves or debris that might obstruct airflow. You should also clean your unit’s condenser coils, or have a professional handle it. Most air conditioning units have a drain near the indoor cooling coil, typically by the furnace.
Most air conditioning units have a drain by the indoor cooling coil, which is usually located near your furnace. You can easily clear it by pouring one cup of bleach down the drain and then rinsing it with a gallon of water.
Prevent the HVAC from working harder than it should
Improving airflow is essential to optimizing your air conditioning system. Clear items away from your indoor vents and vacuum them to help your AC system distribute cold air effectively. Keep your interior doors open, adjust vents in unused rooms, and close your blinds or curtains during the hottest parts of the day. Use good quality weather-stripping to prevent air leaks and keep the cold air circulating inside. Raising your thermostat by two or three degrees to 78 degrees at home can reduce the strain on your air conditioning unit. Pairing a fan with your air conditioning, like a ceiling fan or table fan, will circulate the air faster and boost your air conditioning unit’s functionality.
Avoid adding extra heat sources
Daily activities like cooking, using the oven, or running the clothes dryer can all heat up your house, making your air conditioning unit work much harder than necessary. To prevent this, avoid operating these appliances during the hottest parts of the day, especially in the warmest months. Instead, try using your appliances in the morning or at night when temperatures are cooler. For instance, preparing meals early or drying clothes after sunset can make a big difference. If you must cook during the day, turn on an exhaust fan to pull the heat out of the house or use a floor fan to disperse the warmth, keeping your kitchen from turning into a hot zone and easing the load on your cooling system.
With regular maintenance can optimize your air conditioning system, you’ll reduce utility, and repair costs all summer long. At Real Property Management Elevation, we focus on maintaining all our rental properties to ensure air conditioning systems deliver a comfortable living experience. Need property management services in Winchester? Contact us online or call 540-409-5857 today!
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