Do I Need My AC Fan Speed Adjusted?

Unless your HVAC has a variable-speed blower fan, it will always circulate air throughout your home at the same rate of speed. This rate is determined by how fast the blower fan in your air handler spins. Although the fan only spins at one speed, most units still allow you to adjust the speed to be faster or slower. When you adjust the fan speed, it changes the airflow rate and will allow you to cool the home slower or more quickly. Changing the fan speed is usually not necessary and can potentially create issues with your AC system’s performance. Nonetheless, there are situations where adjusting the fan speed can help improve home comfort. Let’s now take a look at the effect that fan speed has on your AC system and the reasons why you might need to have it adjusted. Fan Speed and Airflow Rates To work efficiently, air conditioning systems need to circulate so many cubic feet of air per minute. The exact volume required is determined by the size of the AC unit. The general rule is that the blower fan needs to circulate between 350 and 400 cubic feet of air per minute for each AC...

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Will Closing My Upstairs Vents Really Reduce My Energy Bills?

If you’re like most homeowners, you’re always looking for ways to save money on your energy bills. One of the biggest misconceptions out there is that shutting vents in your unused rooms will save you money. If you’re thinking of trying this method to save money, we encourage you to think again. The Concept Behind Shutting Vents Let’s say that you likely have a room or two in your upstairs that doesn’t get utilized that often. You may think that shutting vents in those rooms will allow your HVAC system to work less since it doesn’t have to deliver any air to those rooms. But, in reality, shutting vents has the opposite effect on your energy bill. Understanding Your Ductwork When the ducts were originally installed in your home, it was designed with the objective of delivering treated air to all the rooms throughout your home. When you shut even just one vent, it will cause a pressure increase inside of your ductwork. This pressure increase happens because your HVAC system is designed to work at full capacity with all of your vents open. The more vents that you close, the higher the pressure is going to build. How Does...

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Tips for Getting Your AC to Run Proficiently

Funding your summertime air conditioning shouldn’t have to cost you your entire paycheck. When your air conditioning system is running proficiently, you’re getting the best bang for your buck. We’re going to share with you some of our best tips for ensuring that your air conditioning system is running as proficiently as possible throughout the entire summer season. It Starts With Efficient Settings You can have your air conditioning system set up perfectly so that you’re getting the most bang for your buck for every dollar spent. However, if you don’t have efficient settings on your thermostat, you’re still going to be dealing with high power bills. You should have a programmable thermostat that is set based on your normal weekly schedule. At times when you’re at home, your thermostat should be set around 78 degrees. When you’re away from home, your thermostat should be set 10 degrees higher. This will help to ensure that your air conditioning system isn’t constantly running when you’re not at home. That’s just a waste of energy and your hard-earned money. Frequently Check Your Air Filter Your air conditioning system has an air filter that is responsible for enhancing the quality of your indoor...

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Vacation Soon? Leave Your AC On

The key to a fun and relaxing vacation is taking care of all the right details before you leave. You can also give your home HVAC system a “working vacation” of its own and save a little money in the process. Here are a few easy tips to help you prepare your home HVAC system for safe and energy-efficient operation until you return from your trip. Choose your Optimum Vacation Temperature The United States Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees when you’re at home, 85 degrees while you’re at work, and 82 degrees when you’re asleep. Some families prefer a higher or lower everyday temperature, but the Department of Energy bases their recommendations on what represents the best balance of comfort and energy usage. When you’re going on a summer vacation, you can save some money by raising your thermostat to 82 degrees or higher. If you’re taking a winter vacation, you can set your thermostat to the mid to high 60s. If you’re leaving pets at home while you’re away, you should check with your veterinarian for a recommended pet-safe temperature. If you and your family prefer your home to be a different everyday temperature...

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