5 Tips To Make The Most Of A Window AC Unit

Posted on: 17 June 2015

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Making the most of your window AC unit means you can stay cool and comfortable no matter how hot it is on a summer day. These five tips will help ensure your unit performs at peak condition for the entire season.

Tip #1: Size It Right

The wrong size of window AC will cool your home poorly, and it may also lead to an overworked and damaged unit. Most units state clearly on the box how much space they are designed to cool. Otherwise, you need to check the BTUs of the unit to determine the cooling capacity. For example, a 5,000 BTU unit can cool a room up to 150 square feet, while you will need an 18,000 unit for rooms between 700 and 1,000 square feet.

Tip #2: Provide Some Shade

Exterior shade improves your AC's cooling ability, since the air it is drawing on it already cooler than sun-heated air. When possible, set the unit into a window that doesn't get direct sunlight exposure. It's even better if you can erect a canopy over it. If you take advantage of the shade of a tree, check the outside of the unit regularly to make sure it isn't getting dirty from falling leaves or twigs.

Tip #3: Reduce the Heat

Placing a window unit near a heat-producing appliance also reduces the unit's efficiency and can limit it's cooling ability. This means that you don't want to use a kitchen window near a fridge or oven, nor do you want to install the unit in the office window next to your computer tower.

Tip #4: Keep It Clean

It's no secret that clean filters are the key to a unit's efficiency, longevity, and cooling amount. Fortunately, window unit filters are exceptionally easy to access. Simply open up the hatch on the inside front of the unit and slide out the filter. Vacuum it clean once monthly. You can also hose down the outside rear of the unit if it's dusty or covered in leaves and other debris, simply turn it off and unplug it first.

Tip #5: Manage Your Environment

Don't invite a cooling challenge into your home. Close drapes during the heat of the day, or at least when the sun is shining directly on the windows. Also, close doors to rooms that don't need cooled. Use your ceiling fans or place oscillating fans around your home to help circulate the cooled air produced by the AC unit.

For more information, consult companies like Hammes Ron Refrigeration