Photo: starmanseries, Flickr Creative Commons

As the summer heats up, you want to know you’re getting the most out of your air conditioner without seeing a drastic rise in your electric bill! Here are some tips from your friendly Wilmington HVAC technician that will save you money on your cooling bills this summer. Besides boosting your air conditioning system’s efficiency, these tips can extend the life of your air conditioner by reducing the strain on your system.

• Change your filters often – Filters should be changed or cleaned once every 30-60 days. If you live in an area that has high air pollution, or if you have pets in your home, you may need to change your filter more frequently. A clogged filter that restricts air flow forces your system to work harder, affecting how well it can cool your home. It can also lead to expensive repairs in the long run. For more information on air filters, check out our blog, “How to Choose the Right Air Filter.”

• Keep your curtains and blinds closed during hot summer months – If you have rooms that receive direct sunlight, the sun streaming through the windows will increase the temperature of the room and cause your AC unit to run full-force to keep things cool. Keeping the curtains or blinds closed against the hot rays will help offset the sun’s heat. Choose light-colored curtains, since dark colors absorb the heat and can make the room hotter. Metal blinds can have the same effect, so we recommend choosing plastic or wood blinds.

• Make sure your air conditioner’s outdoor unit is in the shade. If your outside unit is in the sun for the majority of the day, you should consider hiring a professional Wilmington HVAC technician to relocate it to a shadier section of your yard. By keeping it out of the sun’s direct rays, you will keep your unit at a moderate temperature that keeps all the parts running more smoothly. Call Gold Star’s experienced Wilmington technicians to look at what can be done for your unit and provide a free quote.

• Schedule routine maintenance checkups. Not only does routine maintenance increase your air conditioner’s efficiency, it saves you money by fixing small problems before they become expensive headaches. Click here to read more about how our Wilmington HVAC maintenance agreements can help your home and your wallet.

Keep Cool with Gold Star, Wilmington’s Top HVAC Company

If your air conditioner isn’t running smoothly, or you’ve noticed a dramatic increase in your cooling bill, call Gold Star today. We have the skills and expertise to correct any HVAC problems you may have. Call us today at 1-302-947-8694 and our air conditioning professionals will make sure your Wilmington HVAC system is running at peak efficiency this summer.