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Top 3 tips for having good air conditioning for family homes in hot climate locations

BY READERS DIGEST

11th Apr 2022 Technology

Top 3 tips for having good air conditioning for family homes in hot climate locations

Air conditioning can literally be a life saver for people living in extremely hot areas. 

Millions of people die from heat-related causes around the world every year, and if you are older and you need the temperature in your home to stay at a safe level, then you need to look after your air conditioning system.

AC malfunctions can happen at any time, but you can reduce and almost eliminate their occurrence with proper HVAC maintenance. There are also things that you can do to reduce the strain on your system and allow it to perform better while lasting longer. Let’s take a look at three tips for maximizing air conditioning in hot climate locations.

Protect your AC system

According to LiVE Services Group (www.livesg.com.au/air-conditioning/sunshine-coast) homes in hot climates need to have reliable air conditioners, and one of the best ways to keep your system running is to make sure that it’s not overworking. There are many things that you can do to make things easy for your system, beginning with where the unit is located.

Shading an AC system is one of the best things you can do to preserve it. The shade will cool the air around your air conditioning unit, and it won't have to work as hard to temper that air before it blows it inside the house. A hot condenser will need to work harder to do its job.

If you have trees in your backyard and they shade the house, try to have the unit placed under that shade. If you can't, then you should install the unit on the north or northeast side of the house. This will allow your house to naturally shade the unit during the hottest times of the day.

Check your filters regularly

Another thing you can do to improve your system’s performance and reduce the strain on it is to check the filters regularly. When your filters are dirty, your system has to work much harder to draw in air. This means that it will be more likely to break down, but it will also increase your monthly energy costs. This is something you could do yourself very easily, so don’t neglect this. You should check your filters every month and change them every three months at least if they’re pleated, or every 30 days if you have fiberglass filters.

Block air leaks and sunlight

You should also try to use all the natural cooling methods you can to help your AC system. Check for air leaks as a leaky house will let heat in and put more strain on your system. Weatherize windows and doors and install robust shades in rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight. Also, make sure that doors and windows remain closed at all times.

These are all tips that you can apply if you want to get the most out of your AC system in really hot conditions. Always remember to limit your system's workload and to keep to a strict maintenance schedule.

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