We’re all depending on our air conditioners to keep us cool and safe these days. Home improvement expert Paul LaGrange of LaGrange Consulting said because your A/C is working overtime, change your return air filter monthly, even if the instructions say every 90 days.
“Our air conditioners run a lot this time of year, you need to change the filter every 30 days. Don’t stretch that out, it’s not worth it,” said LaGrange.
A dirty air filter puts an extra strain on your A/C that’s already working overtime. And don’t rely on an eye test for your filter, put a reminder in your phone and change it monthly.
If you’ve been told you have a small return air space, LaGrange said to buy a less restrictive air filter. He said if it whistles you want a thinner air filter.
Another way to keep your home cool is by keeping the windows, blinds, and curtains closed. LaGrange said if you must cook use the microwave and try to use your stove and oven as little as possible.
“Some things to help control or not build up as much internal heat inside your house,” said LaGrange.
Keep your doors closed as much as possible to keep the cool air in and warm air out. LaGrange said photos of putting tents over your outside condenser circulating on social media can be misleading. While the shade is good, you don’t want to trap air above the unit…
“What happens is you are actually going in the wrong direction. The warm air you’re paying good money for to remove out of your house is being recirculated and redirected back down into the air conditioning system,” said LaGrange.
He said a tent over the condenser and even hosing it off, unfortunately, forces the unit to work harder.
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