5 AC Mistakes That Will Cost You

Every homeowner wants a fully functional AC unit to create the best conditions inside their homes. However, in the course of running a home, many homeowners end up making mistakes that could have a lot of negative effects on the unit. Our top-rated professionals share the common AC mistakes in Sacramento that our team sees on a daily basis. 

Unfortunately, these mistakes lead to breakages or energy wastage, which will eventually cost you more money. Are there mistakes you could be making with your AC unit that could cost you more in the long run? Here are some of the most common mistakes homeowners make. 

Getting the AC size wrong 

The size of the AC unit in your home matters. A small AC unit will take longer to cool your home while a bigger one runs more, thus costing you more money in energy bills. Therefore, it is important to find the right-sized AC unit for your house in order to reduce energy consumption. Our HVAC techs recommend that you measure the square footage of your house and find a unit that is suited for those particular measurements. 

Placing the Thermostat and AC unit in the Wrong Place 

Your Thermostat is responsible for controlling your AC unit. Thermostat placement affects how many times your AC units come on and for what reasons. Avoid placing your AC unit in direct sunlight or a source of heat. 

The sun will heat it up and cause it to switch on. Placing the Thermostat close to a heat source will cause it to always pick up the slightest heat changes and switch on your AC unit. This will keep your unit running. 

Your AC unit should be placed on a platform to prevent interference from insects. Clear all the shrubs and bushes around the unit to allow an unobstructed supply of fresh air. Also, ensure that the unit is slightly tilted backward to aid in proper drainage. 

Not Changing the Filter Regularly 

Your air filters need to be changed every 30-90 days. This makes it easy for them to clean the air that you breathe in your home. This part of maintenance is aimed at preventing dust and debris from accumulating on your filter. The good thing is that changing the air filter is easy and you and always do it yourself. You don’t even have to wait for an AC tune-up in Sacramento to do this. 

Running Your AC 24/7

Your AC does not have to be on all the time. There are times when no one will be in the house. These are perfect times to switch it off and ease up on energy consumption. To achieve this, you need a SMART thermostat. 

This is a programmable thermostat that will switch the AC unit on and off according to your needs. It is easily controllable using your smartphone so that you can switch it off from your office when no one is at home and switch it back on before getting to the house. 

If you are using an older model and would love to upgrade, residential AC companies in Sacramento will be more than happy to help you install a modern one. 

Thinking That a Low Setting on the Thermostat will Speed up Cooling 

This is a common misconception that has people setting their thermostats at low to help cool their houses faster. The truth is, however, any modern AC systems have a two-stage system in place. This means that the air conditioner can only operate at certain speeds. Whether you lower the temperature by ten degrees or two degrees, there won’t be any change. 

Get the Best Help for Your Sacramento AC Unit 

Are you making any mistakes that could affect your unit’s effectiveness? Gilmore Heating, Air, and plumbing are dedicated to offering you the best AC tune-up in Sacramento to keep your house comfortable and your energy bills low. Contact Gilmore and schedule an AC tune-up service today.