For several Hot Springs tenants, heating and cooling bills make up over half of a household’s total utility expenses. If you wish to avoid driving up your costs, particularly during months of warm weather, try to regulate your use of the air conditioning. This is why you should do what you can to keep utilities as low as possible. Being the property owner, you will need to perform basic maintenance on your air conditioning unit to optimize your air conditioning system. This will help keep your utility bills under control.
To increase your air conditioning unit’s efficiency, it needs to be cleaned at least once a year. If your unit sits on the ground, make sure to clear away any leaves or debris that may have fallen on or around it. It’s a great idea to clean your unit’s condenser coils and your drain line or have a professional do it for you. Most air conditioning units have a drain by the indoor cooling coil, which is generally placed 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.
Another important part of optimizing your air conditioning system is to make airflow more efficient. One good practice is to vacuum your indoor vents and make sure items are cleared away from them. In doing so, your AC system will do a better job of distributing cold air. Also, keep your interior doors open and adjust the vents in rooms that aren’t used daily. To keep the cold air inside, close your blinds or curtains during the hottest parts of the day. Also, make sure that you have good quality weather-stripping around each door and window. This will prevent air leaks and keep the cold air circulating inside the house where it belongs.
You can keep your air conditioning system from operating harder than it should. Raising your thermostat setting by two or three degrees can decrease the strain on your AC. Most experts recommend keeping it at 78 degrees when you are at home, and a bit higher when you’re gone. Using a fan in conjunction with your AC can also circulate the cooling breeze better. Consistently using a ceiling fan or table fan in certain rooms can help boost your air conditioning unit’s functionality and maintain a comfortable temperature.
Lastly, let’s discuss avoiding adding extra sources of heat to your home’s interior. Cooking, using the oven, or running the clothes dryer can all heat your house. If you use these appliances during the hottest parts of the day, it can make your air conditioning unit work even harder. During the warmest months, try to use your appliances either in the morning or at night. This will help your air conditioner work more effectively and keep your house cool all day long. Need to cook? Use your exhaust fan to pull the heat out of the house or a floor fan to help it disperse. This ensures that your kitchen doesn’t end up being the hottest place in your house!
By following a few simple strategies and performing regular maintenance, you can optimize your air conditioning system and keep your utility costs down all summer long.
At Real Property Management Hometown, we make sure to keep all of our rentals (including their air conditioning) in tip-top shape. If you’re interested in talking to a Hot Springs property manager, contact us online or call us at 501-701-4702 or 501-303-6870.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
