9 WAYS TO COOL YOUR HOME AND GET A BETTER NIGHTS SLEEP

There are many benefits to sleeping in a cold room. Most point to a better night’s rest and better health. With sleep deprivation being a leading cause of heart disease, obesity, and interruptions in cognitive function- paying attention to details to help you sleep is worthwhile. Sleeping in the right temperature is one way to get a better nights sleep –make sure your Air Conditioner is set between 60-67 degrees and always running efficiently. Here are 9 things you can do to make sure your Air Conditioning system can provide you with a GREAT nights sleep.

1. Change the filters:  A clogged AC filter can reduce air flow significantly, increasing the amount of time your system has to run and putting significant stress on your air conditioner’s internal components.  The AC filter’s primary role is to keep dust and other contaminants from collecting on the evaporator coil and other components which decreases the rate at which heat is exchanged.  Additionally, this dirt and debris can collect on the various moving parts of your blower motor and fan, which also decreases their effectiveness.
2. Clean your condensation line: The condensate line plays an important role in removing condensation produced by your air conditioner’s evaporator coil. If the line isn’t properly cleaned, algae and mold can grow inside and clog the drain, causing elevated humidity, musty odors and water damage inside your home.
3. Check your duct work for leaks: If you have leaky ducts, your HVAC system has to work harder and longer to reach and maintain your desired temperature. And that means higher utility bills.
   Duct leakage can happen on both sides of the system:
   Leakage on the return side means hot air from your attic is getting sucked into your ductwork. And the more air your ducts suck in from your attic, the less air it needs to suck in from inside your home.
   Leakage on the supply side means your ducts are blowing cool air into spaces that don’t need it (attic or basement). So all that conditioned air that you’ve already paid for is wasted and your HVAC system struggles to cool or warm your home.
4. Check your refrigerant: If your air conditioner is not working correctly, it could be that it is low on refrigerant gas. Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to work correctly, when this gas is low or has run out all together then a refrigerant charge is needed to get your system working properly again. In an ideal situation your refrigerant will last for the life of your air conditioning unit, however leaks can happen and this will cause the refrigerant gas to leak out. As the refrigerant levels decrease, you will notice the air produced by your air conditioning system is less cool. If the coolant becomes completely empty, your system will produce no cool air at all.
5. Install a programmable thermostat: Programmable thermostats give you precise control over your heating and cooling, helping to reduce wasted energy. The most basic programmable thermostat can be installed in an hour, and comes with preset temperature settings for different times of the day.
6. Clean the coils on the outside unit: Your air conditioner’s coils are some of the most important parts of the system. There are two types of coils in an air conditioning system: evaporator coils that absorb the heat and humidity from the air in your space, and condenser coils that expel that heat outside of your home. Why is it important to clean an AC coil? Because coils can’t transfer heat effectively when covered with dirt and debris. That can lead to all kinds of problems, from higher energy consumption to the system overheating and the compressor failing.
7. Clean the fins: The aluminum fins on evaporator and condenser coils are easily bent and can block airflow through the coil. You can purchase a “fin comb” that will comb these fins back into nearly original condition.
8. Clean and Clear Debris: Scoop leaves and debris out of the base of the condenser and, if it has a drain, make sure the drain is clear. Cut and remove any weeds or vines that may obstruct airflow through the condenser unit.
9. Test the Unit: Allow the unit to dry thoroughly and then turn the power to the condenser back on by doing the following: First, turn the thermostat in your home to OFF. Then turn on the power at both the disconnect box and at the main panel. Last, switch the thermostat to COOL.
   If your A/C unit isn’t running properly, please call the professionals to diagnose the potential issue.

SLEEP WELL!

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