Air Conditioning Tips in Bucks and Montgomery, PA

Change Your Filter

Change or clean your filter on a monthly basis if you have a standard type filter.

A good way of remembering is to make note whenever you pay your utility bill, change the filter at that time each month. Remember, your air conditioning system can be far more sensitive to the effects of even a moderately dirty filter than your heating system can be, so it is even more important to change your filter monthly during air conditioning season.

Annual Air Conditioning System Maintenance

Have your air conditioning system serviced by a professional heating and air conditioning technician once per year.

Program Your Thermostat

Use a programmable thermostat to help reduce energy consumption and costs when you’re sleeping or not at home. We recommend setting the thermostat back 5 degrees when no one is home or everyone is sleeping. Carney provides programmable thermostats with "intelligent recovery" that can lower the temperature in your home to the desired temperature based on recent requirements.

Circulate Air with Ceiling Fans

Utilize ceiling fans to help circulate the air when the area is occupied. This will help create a gentle breeze that when in contact with your body will make you feel cooler than the actual temperature. Keep in mind that ceiling fans and other fans do nothing to cool the room or area, so keeping them on when a room is not occupied will not do anything to increase comfort and will cost you unnecessary expenditures in electric utility bills.

Close the Blinds

Keep the sun out! During the day, when no one is home, keep shades and blinds drawn to reduce the heat that direct sunlight generates inside the home. Also, if skylight windows are present, close the blinds for them as well.

Dehumidification

Install a whole–house Dehumidifier. Often, people are uncomfortable more because of high humidity rather than actual heat and they use their central air conditioning system to remove the humidity as opposed to actually cooling the air. A whole–house, duct mounted humidifier can remove uncomfortable moisture from the entire house making it more comfortable. In addition, they use less electricity than a central air conditioning system and remove far more moisture from the air than standard stand alone type dehumidifiers.

When cooking inside, utilize a kitchen exhaust fan to remove unwanted heat from the area around the stove or oven. In addition, use bathroom exhaust fans when showering to remove excess heat and humidity created by the shower.

Maximize Cold Air Output

Make sure all of your air conditioning vents are clear of obstructions and furniture to allow for maximum output from your central air conditioning system.

Do not close registers in unused rooms. This will restrict airflow and could result in significant damage to your air conditioning system.

Keep your outdoor unit (air conditioner or heat pump) clear of debris and obstructions. Most manufacturers recommend 18" of clearance between the outdoor unit and any obstructions on 2 or 3 sides. If overgrown shrubs or plants are constricting this space, trip them to allow for proper airflow.

Be careful when gardening or trimming grass near your air conditioner or heat pump. There are low voltage and high voltage wires that connect the system to the interior of your home which could easily be damaged and cause the air conditioner to be inoperable and cause physical harm if compromised.

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