The airflow of your air conditioner and your air conditioner efficiency go hand-in-hand. If the air can’t flow freely through the system, your blower fans have to work harder, and cool air takes longer to reach rooms.
The harder the system works, the more electricity is used, and the longer the thermostat takes to cool. An inefficient unit becomes obvious when you receive your power bill in the middle of the summer, a time Apache Junction homeowners are all familiar with.
Fortunately, good airflow is something you can improve with a few smart tricks around the house. If you know where airflow can be blocked, you can also unblock it and return your AC to full efficiency. Here are the five best ways to increase your Apache Junction home’s AC airflow.
Unblock AC Vents
Many people don’t realize the importance of blocking vents regarding airflow efficiency and quality in the home. If even one vent in your home is fully blocked, this can cause airflow problems throughout your home, interrupting the natural circular pattern of air that should be creating even cooling.
Locate all the AC vents in your house – there should be at least one in every room – and find out if any are blocked. If an AC vent is blocked by furniture or a curtain, rearrange your house to allow free airflow through that vent. Just a few inches of clearance can make a difference. If a vent has been closed at some point, use the little lever to open it back up.
Clean AC Vents
Look closely at each of your AC vents. Don’t just look at the metal you can see; grab a light and look closely at where the air should be coming out of. Is it solid dust bunnies? This can happen, and those dust bunnies are worse than a clogged air filter when it comes to blocking airflow and re-distributing dust into your home with every gust of cool air from the AC.
Fortunately, this solution is also simple. Start by wiping down your vents with a cloth or paper towel. A good cleaning will remove a lot of the accumulated dust. However, if you can still see a dust bunny blockage behind the vent, fit your vacuum hose with the narrowest attachment and go after that wall of dust. If necessary, you can take down the vent cover and sweep out the dirt from the ductwork.
Check & Replace AC Filters
Don’t forget your AC filter. The filters for your AC are designed to let air through while stopping dust and microbes. A clogged filter is packed full of dust, so air can no longer flow through without dragging at the filter and reducing your airflow throughout the entire house.
Open up your AC intake vent and find the filter. If it’s packed with dust, change the AC filter for a clean one, then write the date on the cardboard edge. Putting the date on the cardboard will help you remember when it was last changed.
Find and Fix Leaks
Many people don’t realize that their ductwork can have “air leaks” where cold air escapes the ducts and reduces your total air pressure. These air leaks can let dirt into your home’s airflow and simultaneously reduce your air conditioner’s efficiency. An AC technician can look into your ducts and use special equipment to help identify air leaks in your home’s HVAC system. This is why it’s important to have your air conditioning ducts and vents kept properly sealed through regular check-ups during your HVAC service visits.
Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
The best way to keep your Apache Junction air conditioner running smoothly and efficiently (at the lowest possible power cost) is to schedule regular HVAC maintenance.
Get your AC tuned up at least once a year, including an inspection of your vents, ductwork, and airflow quality. Here in Arizona, we use our air conditioners all year long, which means keeping this essential system in perfect working order greatly impacts your home’s air quality, comfort, and power bill all year.
By scheduling an AC tune-up, you can ensure your air conditioner is ready to carry you efficiently through another year.
Air Conditioner Maintenance & Repair in Apache Junction
If your Apache Junction home requires air conditioning maintenance or repair services, Superstition Cooling is here for all your HVAC needs.
We will ensure your home, HVAC, vents, and ducts are in great working order and ready to keep your family cool all year. Contact us anytime for AC repairs, AC tune-ups, or to investigate if you’re not quite sure what the problem is. Our technicians are always ready to help.
Image Source: The Toidi / Shutterstock