The summer temperatures in New Mexico soar, with the mercury topping at 100°F in Albuquerque a few times throughout the year and above 90°F in Santa Fe for several days. When the heat becomes stifling, the air conditioning works harder to keep the home cool.
This extra effort can mean less efficiency, higher utility costs, and more frequent repairs. Preventive inspections and maintenance with a quality and qualified air conditioning company voted #1 for cooling services will help stave off costly repairs and improve the system’s energy efficiency.
Investing in companies like First Rate Plumbing Heating and Cooling is a proactive measure, an excellent way for homeowners to save time and money with reduced electricity bills. How can you optimize your air conditioner’s performance while keeping the house cool in New Mexico’s summer heat? Let’s learn.
Optimize Your Air Conditioning Performance
Most preventive maintenance performed by licensed New Mexico HVAC professionals covers air filter inspection and replacement, air conditioning cleaning, and other proactive measures.
Without these precautions, the unit can lose as much as five percent efficiency each year from clogged filters, debris and dirt buildup, and progressing equipment decline. You want to schedule inspections and maintenance at least once each year to prevent malfunctions when summer arrives.
Visit – Tips for using your air conditioner efficiently | Energy Rating – for tips on using your AC efficiently. Consider the following tips meant to help optimize your air conditioning and keep your home cool in the summer.
The sun
While it can be good for your body to soak up a reasonable amount of sun, it can drastically raise the household temperature when streaming in through the windows. The effect will depend on the window alignment with the sun and direction toward it.
Windows facing north experience the least heat gain, while those facing west draw the most in the afternoon. There’s an instant effect on the temperatures when solar heat enters through windows. To prevent the AC from overworking, window coverings, like drapes or blinds, should remain closed.
You also might consider the addition of outdoor awnings for more shade and refer to the Department of Energy website for ideal window covering recommendations. Read here for guidance on cooling a hot house from intense temperatures in the summer.
Heat-producing activities
Certain activities, from minor, such as using a hair dryer, to more involved, like baking using the oven help to increase the household temperature, even slightly. Still, from one activity to the next, the additional temperature increases add up, causing the air conditioning to run for longer periods.
While these are essential tasks for most homeowners, it’s important to perform them strategically. The recommendation is to grill outside as much as possible or use the range hood when you must use the stove. When it’s vital to do laundry or wash dishes in the dishwasher, try to wait until nighttime when it’s cooler.
When not in use, turn off lights and electronics. Any changes that you make will help optimize your air conditioning.
Air leaks
It’s suggested that when combining the cracks and gaps where heat gains entry or cool air escapes the home, the average house would have a hole roughly the size of a basketball. When warm air invades your space, it raises the interior temperature, and it stresses the AC more than normal.
Finding the leaks is often possible with an energy audit, enabling you to seal them and prevent further air exchange.
Effective use of fans
Moving air throughout the house can be helpful or could hinder the objective of staying cool and comfortable. For instance, ceiling fans create a windchill effect that’s meant to cool homeowners, but they aren’t designed to cool the space. The fan should be switched off when you’re not in the room.
A ceiling fan can raise the room’s temp by approximately 5°F while keeping people cool. Oscillating and other personal fans can also help keep people and their pet’s cooler in certain areas of the household.
Filter changes
The AC equipment will function inefficiently when the air filter is clogged. Dirt, debris, allergens, and debris should be regularly cleaned from this filter, or you can replace them every 30 to 90 days depending on your level of exposure. This helps the system work more efficiently to keep the house cool.
The smart thermostat
With a smart thermostat, homeowners can set the temperature and do not need to worry about adjusting it. By establishing the correct temperature, the AC can operate more effectively. You will set the desired temperature in the morning, which will be higher since the house will be empty during the day.
Then set the evening and nighttime temp when returning home. Maintaining consistency prevents stress and strain on the air conditioning equipment for greater efficiency and extended longevity.
Disconnect ducts
If your ducts become loose or disconnected, this can lead to up to a 40 percent loss of cool air. An inefficiency like this can overly stress the air conditioning equipment, causing it to cool the home less effectively and require more frequent repairs over time.
Proper air conditioning maintenance
For efficient cooling, the AC must be adequately maintained. If regular inspections and tune-ups are neglected, the system will work harder and cool less effectively, leading to extensive and expensive repairs over time.
Expert technicians inspect and maintain varied residential and commercial air conditioning systems, optimizing the equipment to ensure it can handle a New Mexico summer with its intense heat.
Final Thought
When New Mexico summer temperatures are intense, the air conditioning system becomes a necessity, helping homeowners stave off the potential for heat-related illness. You must be diligent with care and upkeep and enlist the services of a credentialed AC repair tech for regular inspections and maintenance.
These professionals take preventive measures to keep the system operating at peak performance for better energy efficiency and reduced utility costs. Most offer an expansive range of services to accommodate customers’ needs and fit within their budgets.
They aim to give homeowners the cool, comfortable home they desire without stressing or straining the equipment. By taking these proactive measures, you can achieve optimal efficiency and extended longevity with your air conditioning.
