AC Efficiently tips?

[Sharky]

Obviously, the newest, most efficient AC system would be ideal, but for those without that, what are some helpful hints folks have to improve the function of existing units?

It's hot here in WC and my AC is working overtime. The air exchanger at my house has a southern exposure getting all of the afternoon sun. In an effort to keep the direct afternoon sun off of the unit, I put an easy-up to keep it in the shade. I also changed my air handler filter.

I have blocked off the vents for rooms that do not need conditioning (central air).

Any other helpful DIY tips to get through this current heatwave?

 

[mikev]

Go to your friends house with AC

 

[Sharky]

Go to your friends house with AC

Or hotel, movie theater...

I'm working from home this week and my wife is at home anyways, so the AC will be running. Hello, enormous PG&E bill this month.

 

[wazzuFreddo]

Replace your filter

 

[Blankpage]

Ice bucket challenge every 30 minutes

 

[Climber]

Try adding a fan near a key vent to blow the air further into the room.

Also, getting the hot air out of the house at night is a key strategy, one powerful fan high up pulling hot air from inside house and opening windows to let cold air in would get you starting at a lower temp at the start of the day.

Without a fan, running AC at night gives you better exchanger numbers, then just button everything up in the morning and hope your insulation is sufficient to slow the raise throughout the day.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Can you put mirrors in front of the system to deflect some of the sunlight?

 

[Yakoo752]

for rooms where you have closed the vents, close the doors as well. try and limit air exchange in those rooms as much as possible

windows are huge energy losses, get/use blinds and curtains

you have an air exchanger outside or compressor? for either, make sure you aren't blocking air flow at all else you will negate any benefits you may receive.

 

[gnahc79]

Leaving the house fan all day vs only when the AC is cooling should help right?

 

[wazzuFreddo]

I'm just leaving the AC system on and set to 76 all day. I don't care what it costs, having the house at a pleasant temperature is one of the many reasons I work.

 

[Lunch Box]

Move to Pacifica.

 

[Climber]

I'm just leaving the AC system on and set to 76 all day. I don't care what it costs, having the house at a pleasant temperature is one of the many reasons I work.

Brave words...we'll see how you feel when you get the bill and are paying for the luxury!

 

[Abacinator]

Add adequate attic ventilation to the list. Having a huge pocket of hot air sitting on top of your house doesn't help

 

[Sharky]

Add adequate attic ventilation to the list. Having a huge pocket of hot air sitting on top of your house doesn't help

my house has one of those attic fans. I can hear it going right meow. Using an EZ-Up to shade the condenser so there should be plenty of air flow.

So far, looks like I have covered the bases.

 

[gnahc79]

my house has one of those attic fans. I can hear it going right meow. Using an EZ-Up to shade the condenser so there should be plenty of air flow.

So far, looks like I have covered the bases.

if you have cats in the attic you better take care of that right away

 

[Reli]

Peets and Panera Bread have been busy lately...

 

[msethhunter]

Like other people have said, attic fans, clean filters, and clean ducts for inside. For outside, make sure the fan is working properly on the condenser, and that it's clean.

Everyone always forgets the outside bits of an AC system.

 

[Map8]

Move to Pacifica.

I know a guy who grew up in Pacifica. He once told me "I didn't even know they made short sleeve shirts until I was seven years old."

 

[byke]

I'll jump in the unheated hot tub and dry myself off just enough so that I'm not dripping and then just lounge around in wet swim trunks. It basically makes it so that even 80 degrees feels cool and 76 would have you feeling cold.

 

[Lunch Box]

I know a guy who grew up in Pacifica. He once told me "I didn't even know they made short sleeve shirts until I was seven years old."

I grew up in New Mexico and went to college in the southern part of the state. That made me not want to live anywhere hot again. I've been on the coast ever since. Sandy Eggo and Pacifica.