Air filters also reduce allergens. Common allergies include pollen, dander, and dust mite debris. Air filters reduce the amount of these irritants and bacteria in the air we breathe, providing a healthier environment and assisting in improving our quality of life. Knowing this, you may be tempted to go out and buy the priciest filters marketed for allergy sufferers available. Lauren warns against this, “the problem is that most systems are not designed to have to pull through a filter that’s that thick, and sometimes it can end up causing damage to their system.” Instead, Lauran recommends pleated filters changed regularly. The pleated air filters are important because the grooves in the pleats enable filters to capture more harmful particles, optimizing your air quality. Once again, Lauren provides helpful guidance, cautioning consumers to, “Avoid really tight pleats because then it’s really too hard for your air handler to pull through.” TIP: Check the manual that comes with your air conditioning system for the manufacturer’s recommended filter size and follow those instructions. Price isn’t the best indicator of the best- quality filter; prioritize the correct size, fit, and adequately spaced pleating. What does all this mean for your wallet? Studies have shown that maintaining a clean air filter increases air conditioner efficiency considerably. This translates into reduced energy consumption of five to 15 percent and savings on your power bill while ensuring the air quality in your home is optimized to provide your family with a healthier environment.
AVOID TEMP SWINGS Wondering what temperature is the best setting for your thermostat? There are several opinions out there when it comes to the question. Some subscribe to the ‘set it and forget it’ philosophy, while others advise shutting the air conditioning level way down or even turning it off while you’re not at home. Lauren’s advice is simple, “you just want to make sure you’re not asking the system to do big temperature swings.” Lauren confides, “I always like to tell people there should never be more than a four-degree temperature difference. If you do want it to get a little warmer or cooler, just keep it to four degrees or less. But a lot of experts will tell you to just set it at one temperature and leave it alone. It’s the up and down that uses a lot of energy, so either set it and forget, or keep it at a mild difference” to avoid causing your AC system to work harder than it should. If you have smart home technology installed that gives you the ability to conveniently change the temperature in your home from a cell phone, check on the default settings to be sure you’re not inadvertently creating big tempersture swings. Lauren warns that the typical smart system may default to shutting the system off completely when it senses that you’re not home. When you return, the amount of energy needed to cool your house back down strains your system, forcing it to work much harder and negating any energy savings. TIP: For additional efficiency and cost savings, consider augmenting your air conditioning with ceiling fans. You should also keep vents closed in rooms that are not in use and keep doors shut in unoccupied areas of your home.(VOCs), substances that contain carbon. HIRE A PRO To ensure the best air quality for your home, find a reputable HVAC contractor in your area that provides regularly scheduled maintenance by certified technicians. These trained professionals use a checklist to make sure regular maintenance is done properly and on a timely basis. Certified HVAC technicians have expertise in all major cooling and heating systems giving them the ability to evaluate the condition of your system on a deeper level, identifying possible problems early on, and providing repairs as needed to extend the lifetime of your air conditioning unit. 3 2
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July 2023
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