Your windows and landscaping affect your home in multiple ways. From heating and cooling to natural lighting, they profoundly impact your home’s energy use. Most experts agree that you can use strategic approaches to stabilize temperatures and lower utility costs. Let’s look at some unique ways to boost efficiency and stay comfortable all summer.
Place Outdoor Unit Away From Trees
The outside unit of your air conditioner needs room to circulate air. Despite the allure of the shade provided by a large tree, positioning it directly under one may not always be the wisest choice. Things like branches, leaves, and other debris might fall and obstruct the unit’s ventilation. Your system will have to work harder, which increases energy consumption.
The best way to position your unit is in a spot with at least 2 or 3 feet of clear space on all sides. It’ll operate efficiently without the risk of airflow blockages or overheating. Proper placement is just one of the things our technicians at Southport Home Services make sure of when we install a new unit.
Make Sure Concrete Slab Is Level
The exterior unit of your air conditioner must have a firm, level base, usually on a concrete slab. If your yard is sloped, it’s especially important that the slab provides a level base. If not, you risk damage to the unit due to uneven oil distribution. It can also lead to problems with refrigerant lines and prevent proper drainage, leading to rust and corrosion of internal components.
Use Shrubs or Fencing to Shade Outdoor Unit
While you shouldn’t put the outside unit directly beneath a tree, it’s still a good idea to provide it with some shade. Shrubs, bushes, or a fence can serve as effective sunshades. By maintaining a cooler unit, you’ll help the AC perform better. Just make sure to give the unit at least 2 feet of clearance from any nearby bushes or fences. It must have unrestricted airflow around the perimeter.
Use Trees to Shade Your Home for a Cooler Interior
You can significantly reduce the amount of heat entering your house by planting trees in strategic locations. If you have big, leafy trees on each side, they’ll shade your home from the sun in the morning and afternoon. That’s when the sun’s rays reach their maximum intensity, quickly heating your house.
If you want to see results faster, consider trees that develop quickly. The best ones to improve HVAC efficiency are those that drop their leaves in the winter. They allow sunlight to warm your home during colder weather and provide shade during the summer.
Be Careful When Mowing
Be careful when mowing close to your air conditioner. Dirt and grass clippings might jam the outside unit’s fins and coils, increasing the overheating risk. The smartest move is to use a grass catcher. This type of attachment connects to your lawn mower and catches clippings as you mow. You won’t have to worry about debris clogging the AC or reducing its efficiency.
Surround Outdoor Unit With Mulch or Stones
When it rains, the ground around your HVAC unit will turn into mud, which can splash and coat the coils and fins. As with excess grass clippings, that prevents proper airflow and can cause the unit to overheat. Covering the area around the outdoor unit with gravel or mulch is an easy solution.
Weatherstrip All Windows
Sealing gaps around your windows is a simple but effective approach to reduce energy use. When weatherstripping deteriorates, air can seep in or out of the gaps. This hurts the AC’s performance by making it work harder to keep the home cool. New weatherstripping is inexpensive and simple to install; you can get it at any hardware shop. Just apply it to the areas of the frames where you detect drafts. Make sure to seal all windows throughout the house, not just those in the main living areas.
Add Window Films
Window films help the AC perform more efficiently by blocking out the sun’s heat. There are many types available. Some can even block UV rays, which can help protect your furniture and carpet from fading. You don’t need fancy tools to apply them—just follow the instructions. You’ll notice a difference quickly, especially near windows that get a lot of sun.
Use Thermal Curtains or Solar Shades
Thermal curtains work by insulating windows and blocking heat transfer. They reduce indoor heat gain while increasing energy efficiency, lowering cooling costs. They work exceptionally well in rooms that get a lot of afternoon sun. You can keep them closed during the hottest parts of the day to block out heat. When it cools off at night, you can open them to help the house feel cooler.
Solar shades work by reflecting sunlight and reducing glare. They are another simple solution that improves the home’s cooling efficiency.
Upgrade to Low-E Coating on Windows
Low-E coating is an invisible layer added to windows that reflects heat while allowing light to pass through. It will help keep the heat out in the summer and the warmth in throughout the winter. If you need to replace your windows, you can choose low-e glass for your new windows. Although they may be more expensive initially, they will reduce your heating and cooling costs.
Double-Pane Windows Work Best
With just one pane of glass, you’re losing a lot of heat. A double-pane window consists of two panes of glass with a gas or air gap between them. This prevents heat transfer from outside in summer and keeps heat in during winter. Installing them makes your house more pleasant throughout the year, particularly during extreme weather.
Schedule HVAC Maintenance
No matter the window and landscaping tips you use, regular AC maintenance goes a long way to maintain your HVAC system’s energy efficiency. Our technicians will inspect all of the cooling system’s different components during a tune-up.
Dirty coils can lead to problems like reduced airflow or overheating. A dirty compressor can cause increased energy consumption. Cleaning these parts will prevent system breakdowns and improve efficiency. We’ll also lubricate all moving components so that they don’t experience friction. You don’t want the parts to overheat since it can shorten the system’s lifespan.
Another important part of HVAC maintenance is thermostat calibration. We’ll verify its accuracy and make adjustments so that the AC cools your home using as little energy as possible. The best time to schedule a tune-up for the AC is during early spring. This offers the greatest appointment flexibility and ensures the unit is ready to keep the home cool without worrying about it breaking down.
Southport Home Services is an industry leader in HVAC services in Wausau, WI. We understand the importance of keeping your home cool for comfort without exorbitant energy bills. We offer AC installations, repairs, and maintenance for systems of all types. Call Southport Home Services today to book reliable HVAC services in Wausau.
