Tips on getting the most out of your air conditioner

• Check air conditioner vents periodically to ensure that debris hasn’t built up during use
• Use fans And doors to help circulate the air

Summer is here and it’s blazing hot. After a long day at work, or enjoying the outdoors with the family, it’s nice to come home to cool, comfortable home that is exactly the most comfortable temperature.

During the summer months, your air conditioner works hard to keep you cool. However, if your air conditioner has to work too hard, it can increase your energy bills and even damage the air conditioning unit. In this article I’ve provided seven tips to help you keep your air conditioner running at peak efficiency to keep you and your family comfortable morning, noon, and night.

Tip 1. Clear Your Vents

Your air conditioner pushes cool air through the vents in your house so keep those vents clear from blockages:

• Avoid placing furniture in front of vents. This allows clear air flow into and out of vents. Your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard and your rooms will cool down quickly.

• You should also ensure that vents are clear of other debris: dusty interior vents will force your air conditioner to work that much harder to cool your house down (and they can make it more difficult to breathe).

Check your vents periodically to ensure that debris hasn’t built up during use.

Tip 2. Run Your Air Conditioner Steadily Instead Of Turning It Off And On

Your air conditioner works less to keep your home at a steady temperature than it takes to cool the house down every time you turn your air conditioner on. Rather than shutting your air conditioner off for long periods, keep your house at a steady temperature and only make small adjustments between the warmer days and cooler nights.

Tip 3. Use Fans And Doors To Help Circulate The Air

Warm air rises, so there can be a distinct temperature difference between the air near your floor and the air near your ceiling. Use ceiling fans to help circulate the air and ensure that cool air circulates throughout the room.

And, keep interior doors open so the cool air circulates throughout your whole house. This is even more important if your thermostat is in a hall, far away from a vent. (If all the doors are closed, the thermostat will be in a warmer area of the house, while all your rooms could be ice-cold!)

Tip 4. Avoid Generating A Lot Of Heat

In the hottest days of the year, consider serving salads instead of using the oven extensively to bake. And, switch to quick showers instead of hot relaxing baths. While baking and long baths are comfortable, they generate a lot of heat and your air conditioner has to work even harder to cool your house down.

Tip 5. Keep Exterior Doors And Windows Closed

Like your children, the cold air doesn’t want to stay indoors — it wants to go outside! Well, the kids should go outside and play, but keep the cold air in by shutting doors and windows and ensuring that they are sealed shut. Check around doors and windows annually to ensure that there’s a good seal and replace weather-stripping and sealant if you see any spaces.

Tip 6. Clean The Filters, Fins, And Coils In Your Air Conditioner

The filters, fins, and coils in your air conditioner can collect a lot of debris as they draw air in. This is especially true if you have an external air conditioning unit, since it’s drawing in the dirty outside air. Turn off your air conditioner and brush or rinse the fins and coils. And, clean your filters regularly, at least every month.

Tip 7. Have Your Air Conditioner Checked By A Professional Regularly

There’s a lot you can do to ensure that your air conditioner is running as efficiently as possible. However, just like your car, your air conditioner is a large and complex system. Regular maintenance from an air conditioning expert will keep the air conditioner running smoothly, and give you the confidence that your home will be as cool and comfortable as you want it to be. Schedule a regular air conditioning “check-up” at least once a year or more frequently. An air conditioning professional can also help you clean your filters, fins, and coils if you don’t want to do it yourself.

During the summer, your air conditioner plays a pretty key role in your comfort and your family’s comfort. Make sure that you invest a little time regularly to follow these seven tips. When you do, your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard, which means you’ll extend the life of your air conditioner, lower your energy bills, and enjoy a cool, comfortable summer.

Mike Agugliaro is the co-founder of East Brunswick-based home service company, Gold Medal Service, which provides residential plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical services. As a business coach, Agugliaro takes from his own experience to regularly lead national speeches, podcasts, webinars, and seminars on behalf of his other business, ServiceKey, and has published two business books with a third currently in production.