Want to stay cool this summer? Know these 9 avoidable mistakes impacting adversely on cooling efficiency of the Air Conditioner and making the bill spike.

The rising temperature is good news for most of the Canadians who were desperate to beat the winter
fatigue. But how about the hydro bill, which is soaring too? You will be surprised to know that air condition accounts a mere 3% for the overall energy use for most of the Canadians. If still, any wallet senses a heat, there lie some common factors which are driving up the cost.

1. Installing the right sized system:

The air condition should size right to the space they need to chill. A big air conditioner creates an
imbalance and inconsistency in the house and disturbs the on and off frequency. While a small AC stays in a continuous struggle to cool your place and ends up wearing out prematurely.

2. Having clogged filters:

The air filter is a vital part of the air conditioner. It catches debris so dust does not blow around your
place. Dirty air filter results in freezing evaporator coil and increase 5-10% to a hydro bill. The filter needs to be changed after every three months or more often if the unit is running all the time.

3. Opening windows:

Opening windows is probably a fair way to undermine the HVAC system’s efficiency and to keep a home in the best comfort zone. If you want to enjoy the cool breeze, don’t turn the a/c on at the same time. Instead, when you open the windows, consider running a ceiling fan.

4. Use the newest version of thermostat:

A Smart Thermostat can save hundreds of bucks annually by adjusting the temperature. The newest
version of thermostats is more advanced and user-friendly.

5. Right positioning of a thermostat:

Right positioning of a thermostat is essential since most thermostats are functioned to measure the
temperature of the nearby surrounding. Placing the unit right beneath the sun throws off reading and
the unit will begin working unnecessarily. Therefore, while positioning air condition, make sure it is
placed away from sunlight.

6. Incorrect use of Thermostat:

The common misconception is to lower some degrees of the thermostat to quickly cool a place. In
reality, it does nothing but increases the burden on the air conditioner. It eventually cools the room faster which further needs to be adjusted to raise the temperature.

7. Use windows covering in summer:

Make sure to keep shutters and blinds close in summers to prevent sun rays from heating up your
room.

8. Install a ceiling fan:

Ceiling fans take the burden off of an air conditioner. Make sure it runs counter-clockwise in summer.
You can install any type of fan but a ceiling fan helps in the even distribution of air in winters and
summers as well.

9. No need to cool unused part of the home:

There is no need to cool any part of the home that is not being used. We are not recommending to close the registers, however, the load can be significantly reduced by shutting down the doors and windows of a room.

The time to think about summers and how will you be cooling your indoor during summers is not in summers at all. These are the things you should be done with well within Spring. And that is because, during summers, the technicians have loads of work. And during that peak season, if you rush out to make a purchase, get an installation tech or find a service for maintenance and repair, it is most probable that you wouldn't find things as easy as they might have been during the spring. So, let's come to the point now; to find out whether or not your system needs a repair/upgrade, the time is now.



Before we talk about identifying system issues, the question is that, should homeowners inspect the system themselves or call a professional technician for this? The answer is; it is better to schedule a session with a professional in order to get a precision tune-up and have the components inspected but there are signs that can help homeowners find out whether or not the system is working properly. These problems indicated by the signs may not always allow the homeowner to resolve by themselves but the one benefit of recognising the signs is that they are identified in the first place and action can be taken in time.

Signs that your Central Air Conditioning Unit needs repair

Warm Air 

Warm Air is one big sign. The Air Conditioner is supposed to spill cool air towards you. When the air from the supply registers is warm to feel, know that the system needs help. It could be a leaking refrigerant, a fault in the compressor or dirty coils. Note that warm air supply instantly after running the AC is normal. But if the air remains warm even after running the system for a few hours, there's a problem!

 Low Airflow

A compromised airflow is another indication of the Air Conditioner needing repair. This could be because of filthy filters or fault in the blower fan. Try replacing/cleaning the filters. If the problem persists, there's a need to call for professional help. You might consider checking the ductwork. As one of the reasons for a compromised airflow is often leaking ductwork.

Unusual noises 

You know well what the usual noises are. Every homeowner can identify them after using the Air Conditioner for a few months. So anything other than the usual noises is the unusual noises. This could be a banging, rattling, hissing or any other sound. If the noise comes from near the registers, the reason could be an accidentally fallen object stuck there. If the noise comes from the main unit, you'd have to call a professional.

Rising energy bills 

A rise in energy bills is not always an indication of high usage. You could be using the Air Conditioner with the same patterns and still receiving high bills. This signifies that the system is pushing hard and running more to cool the indoor because of its reduced efficiency or damaged/unmaintained parts. 

This summer, before you start using your system, make sure to try a test run and see if it shows the above-mentioned signs. If it does, don't delay the repair.