As the heat strikes here in the greater Peoria area, it can be brutal, and many families have already cranked up their central air conditioner looking for relief. Even the best air conditioners can falter under the pressure of non-stop use. We have some tips to consider so you can lighten your air conditioner’s load and keep it working at full capacity this summer.

Airflow, Heat Transfer & Your Home’s Building Envelope

To keep your air conditioner humming along you’ll want to make sure all the cool air it’s generating isn’t immediately seeping outside. Many homeowners aren’t aware of the numerous leaks and cracks throughout their house. Your home’s foundation, walls, and roof come together to form your home’s building envelope which is the barrier that separates the inside from the outside. 

The cool air your air conditioner generates can escape through holes in a loose building envelope. Without an airtight barrier, cool air leaves, and hot air enters. Air sealing and insulation are great solutions to a compromised building envelope. They will help your home contain cool air for longer while keeping the outside heat at bay, so your AC isn’t overworked.  

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Consider Your Home Energy Use

Tightening your home’s building envelope will pay lasting dividends for your cooling and even heating needs. That said, there are some adjustments you can make without professional help that will lessen the burden on your air conditioner.

 Turn off and unplug inactive appliances throughout your house. Also, limit the use of heat-generating appliances like your kitchen’s oven, using these appliances during cooler periods of the day. For example, you might consider grilling outside instead of using your stove. Cooking indoors will heat your home and force your air conditioner to work harder to reach your selected temperature. Limiting appliance use helps limit your home’s energy burden which also lowers your AC’s load.

AAA Northgate One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® — Peoria, IL Air Conditioning Professionals

At AAA Northgate One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® , our expertise and professionalism are at the forefront. If your air conditioner is already overworked, we will help you figure out the best way to ease its burden and keep your home cool and comfortable. With services like our home energy audit, we can also evaluate your home’s envelope to determine the most effective ways to keep you comfortable and help you save money in the process.

The AAA Northgate One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® team can help determine how to lighten your air conditioner's load this summer. Want to schedule an appointment? Contact us or call (309) 204-9442 today.