As the weekend approaches with the possibility of the thermometer reaching 100 degrees for the first time since 2012 a home with air conditioning is a necessity not a luxury. But do you know how your central air conditioning system can be expected to perform?
Generally speaking an air conditioning system is designed to keep your home’s indoor temperature about 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the outside temperature while maintaining a comfortable 55% humidity level. So if the outdoor temperature is 80 degrees your air conditioning can reach 70 degrees, since that is only a 10 degree temperature differential. Even if it reaches 90 degrees outside your air conditioner should still reach the 70 degree mark. However, as the temperature nears 100 degrees outside, it will be nearly impossible to reach 70 degrees inside without the air conditioner working overtime and causing problems such as excess humidity and wasting energy.
If you have your air conditioner set to a temperature that makes that temperature differential more than 20 degrees your system will likely run all day long and still not quite reach the desired temperature. This becomes a waste of money on your end by overusing a system that was not designed to maintain such a temperature.
A good rule of thumb is during the hottest days when the dial reaches 100 degrees it is best to set your AC to somewhere between 75 and 80 degrees. You can also supplement that slight temperature difference with closed curtains on sunny side of the building, running ceiling fans and keeping the air flow moving by using portable fans.
Also make certain that you perform the most basic air conditioning system maintenance – checking your air filter. It should be replaced every 90 days in order to keep you system running at peak efficiency.
Wallingford Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086
