How to Make an Air Conditioner Colder? 7 Useful Tips

During the hottest summer days, all of us require an air conditioner to keep the indoors comfortable and relaxed. A rise in temperature can mean quite a lot of comfort and even health differences if an efficient system of air conditioning is in place.

However, there are some points when your air conditioner may not cool as it is supposed to. Common reasons for the failure to cool include installation issues, dirty air filters, blocked condenser coils, poor airflow, and incorrect thermostat settings. These issues lower the AC's performance but can also raise your energy bill and machine wear.

Here, you will find seven helpful tips on how to make your air conditioner colder and work at maximum efficiency. Once followed, these tips will bring about a cooler home and a more efficient air conditioning system.

Keep reading to stay tuned! 

Tip 1: Clean or Replace the Air Filter

The air filter is one of your air-conditioning system's most important parts. It makes a big difference in both the airborne particles indoors and how efficiently the unit will work. This component traps dust, dirt, and other particles in the air that pass through it, preventing them from entering the system and eventually into your house. By keeping these particles out, the air filter ensures that clean air is the only type of air circulating through the system, hence efficient cooling.

Impact of a Dirty or Clogged Filter on Cooling Efficiency

A dirty or clogged filter decreases the volume of air passing through it and significantly reduces the air conditioner's efficiency at circulating cooled air throughout your home. Enhanced pressure on the system can lead to lowered cooling process efficiency, increased energy consumption, and even possible damage to the AC parts. In addition, the freeze-up of the evaporator coil due to a clogged filter further reduces the unit's cooling capacity.

Steps for How to Clean or Replace the Air Filter:

• Turn off the AC Unit: Before cleaning the filter or replacing it, ensure that you have switched off the air conditioner so as to prevent electrical shock.
• Find the Air Filter: It is usually located either in the return air duct or the air handler unit. If you aren't aware of where it is located, you can also refer to your AC manual.
• Remove the Filter: Carefully remove the filter from the enclosure, and then take it out.
• Inspect the Filter: Check for dust, dirt, or any other material deposited in the filter. If it is a reusable one, clean it; if it's a disposable filter, then get a new one.
• Clean the Filter: In the case of a reusable filter, rinse it in water or use a vacuum on the filter to draw out the dirt. After this, let it dry thoroughly and then return it to its position.
• Install a New or Cleaned Filter: The filter should be in its housing, securely held in place.
• Resume the Operation of the AC Unit: Now, by properly installing the filter, you will have better airflow and improved cooling efficiency when you turn the air conditioner back on.

Tip 2: Check and Clean Condenser Coils

These condenser coils are located on the outdoor unit of your air conditioner, and their main role is to dissipate the heat that is gathered from your indoor air into the exterior environment. The refrigerant will then be cooled down to flow back into the indoor unit, pick up more heat, and continue cooling.

How Dirty Coils or Clogged Air Filters Can Affect AC Cooling Capacity?

Over time, the condenser coils can accumulate dirt, dust, and related debris, more so if the outdoor unit is exposed to environmental pollutants. Dirty coils act to hinder the heat transfer process, which makes an air conditioner work harder to give off heat. This not only diminishes the cooling ability of the AC but also raises system energy use and increases the possibility of malfunction.

Steps for Cleaning Condenser Coils:

• Please turn off the AC Unit: Before cleaning the filter or replacing it, ensure that you have switched off the air conditioner so as to prevent electrical shock.
• Find the Air Filter: It is usually located in the return air duct or the air handler unit. If you aren't sure where it is located, you can also refer to your AC manual.
• Remove the Filter: Carefully remove the filter from the enclosure, and then take it out.
• Inspect the Filter: Check for dust, dirt, or any other material deposited in the filter. If it is a reusable one, clean it; if it's a disposable filter, then get a new one.
• Clean the Filter: In the case of a reusable filter, rinse it in water or use a vacuum on the filter to draw out the dirt. After this, let it dry thoroughly and then return it to its position.
• Install a New or Cleaned Filter: The filter should be in its housing securely held in place.
• Resume Operation of the AC Unit: By adequately installing the filter, you will have better airflow and improved cooling efficiency when you turn the air conditioner back on.

Replace the air filter and clean condenser coils regularly to improve the efficiency and cooling ability of your A/C equipment.

Tip 3: Allow Proper Airflow

Unobstructed airflow is essential to ensure that your air conditioning system works efficiently. Proper airflow means the unit can quickly draw in and expel air so that it can do its work in cooling your space without much problem. In the absence of sufficient air flow, the system is made to work harder to circulate the air. This goes against the owner since the system will have reduced efficiency, increased use of energy, and possible mechanical problems.

Keep Debris Away and Enough Space Around the Unit

• Clear Debris: Check for leaves, grass clippings, and dirt surrounding your outdoor unit regularly. Remove any accumulated particles so they won't block their outer airflow.
• Maintain Clearance: This cut allows adequate air circulation and prevents overheating.
• Trim Vegetation: This should be kept trimmed back from the unit to avoid obstructions and allow for free-flowing air.
• Avoid Stacking Items: Items should not be placed or stored on or around the outdoor unit, as this restricts airflow and will damage the system's performance.

Benefits of Having Vents and Ducts Professionally Cleaned

It improves, calorifically, the efficiency of the air conditioning system and the quality of indoor air. When dust, dirt, and other elements collect in the ductwork over time, they really get in the way of airflow and diminish the effectiveness of the systems. Professional cleaning removes these obstructions, enhances airflow, and therefore allows your AC to cool the home more effectively. In addition to that, it also helps in reducing the amount of allergens and pollutants in the air, further developing a much healthier environment within a building.

Tip 4: Seal and Insulate Your Home

Poor insulation will greatly harm your air conditioner's performance. If your house is not well insulated, cold air may find its way out through those spots, and warm air from those or other crevices may let in, making the AC struggle to maintain the temperature of that space. That causes higher consumption, as the system works extra hard to cool that space, bringing higher bills and possible wear on the unit.

Seal Leaks Around Windows and Doors: 

• Look for Leaks: Visible holes or faint cracks around windows and doors are places air could be sneaking from.
• Apply Weatherstripping: Apply weatherstripping around windows and doors to seal off gaps that let air pass through easily. It is easy to apply and makes a very effective draft barrier.
• Use Caulk: Apply caulk around the window and door frames or any other places where air can be lost through cracks or gaps. Make sure it is an interior-exterior caulk.
• Use Door Sweeps: Install door sweeps on the bottoms of your exterior doors to keep the cold drafts out and the warm air in.

Recommend Insulating the Attic and Walls to Keep a Cool Temperature Within the Residence

• Install more Attic Insulation: Proper insulation of the attic will help to keep the indoor temperature at a lower heat rating. More insulation is necessary, especially where no insulating material has been installed or where an upgrade might be necessary.
• Insulate the Walls: Setting an insulation system in the home walls significantly cuts down heat transfer, bringing a relaxed indoor environment. Materials such as fibreglass, foam, and cellulose can do that well.
• Seal All Access Openings to the Attic: Make sure that openings to the attic, such as hatches or openings for pull-down stairs, are sealed and insulated very well to prevent leaking air.
• Window Upgrade: The owner may want to have a double-paned or energy-efficient window installed to prevent significant heat transfer and maximize insulation.

Keep good airflow around the AC unit, have your house sealing and insulation intact, and ensure the air conditioning system runs as it should to help reflect in both keeping your indoor temperature cool and saving on energy bills.

Tip 5: Setting the Proper Settings on your Thermostat

This will significantly enhance cooling efficiency while making you comfortable since your thermostat or smart AC controller will be set correctly. In most homes, the best thermostat setting during the summer is around 78°F (25°C) when you're at home and above this while you're out. Generally, this setting will balance keeping a comfortable indoor temperature while saving energy.

Mention the Advantages of a Programmable Thermostat

Despite its virtues in energy efficiency, a programmable thermostat can be of much help in various ways, including:

• Energy Savings: This programmable thermostat decreases energy consumption and lowers utility bills by changing the temperature setting according to your schedule. 
• Convenience: You can set different temperatures for different times of the day. It, therefore, comes in handy to ensure comfort where you want it and save energy when not in use. 
• Consistency: Programmable thermostats are capable of maintaining constant temperatures that do not need continuous manual changes. 

Tips to Set the Thermostat to Balance Your Comfort and Energy Savings

When adjusting your thermostat, it is always challenging to balance comfort and energy savings. Here are some guidelines to help you do precisely that in your home.

• Set to Higher When Away: If you set the temperature 7-10°F higher when you are away, the cooling costs drop to near zero.
• Use the Sleep Mode: If you're comfortable with it, program your thermostat at a notch higher when asleep. This will conserve more energy without sacrificing your sleep quality.
• Avoid Extreme Settings: Where you turn down your thermostat to as low as possible, thinking that it will help cool the house quickly. In reality, the cool-down process won't get faster, and energy consumption will only go up.
• Employ Zoning Systems: Use zone systems if you have them. Instead of cooling your whole house, cool only the occupied areas, which will save much-unwanted cooling of unoccupied areas.

Tip 6: Schedule Regular Maintenance

Regular professional maintenance prolongs the life and boosts the efficiency of your cooling unit. It ensures the system is running smoothly, detects potential problems that are about to turn into significant issues, and guarantees optimal cooling at all times.

Professional Regular Maintenance Inspection

• Monitor Refrigerant Level: Monitor refrigerant to the correct level. Low refrigerant might cause overuse of the compressor.
• Inspecting Electrical Components: All electrical connections are checked for wear, and whenever necessary, they are tightened to prevent malfunction and enhance safety.
• Cleaning Coils and Filters: To maintain efficient airflow, dirt and debris must be removed from coils, and air filters must be replaced or cleaned.
• Examining the thermostat: Ensuring the thermostat is functioning correctly and controlling the temperature accurately.
• Lubricating Moving Parts: Applying lubrication to motors and other moving parts to reduce friction and wear.
• Inspecting Ductwork: Checking for leaks or obstructions in the ductwork that could impede airflow.

For best performance and maximum life, the air conditioning should be professionally maintained at least once every year, just before the cooling season; regular maintenance will help prevent unforeseen breakdowns and ensure your AC system runs efficiently at all times.

Tip 7: Use Fans to Circulate Air

The ceiling fans and portable fans do an excellent job of circulating the cool air within the home. For that reason, the fan creates a breeze, circulating the cooled air of your AC to make your indoors seem more refreshed.

Proper Placement and Use Tips for Fans to Supplement the AC

• Ceiling Fans: Start by installing ceiling fans in rooms of your house where usage is the most frequent. Run these ceiling fans in a counterclockwise direction during the summer months for that blowing cooling breeze, making the room feel several degrees colder.
• Portable Fans: Use portable fans to circulate cool air wherever it's needed most. Place fans near your windows and at doorways so that they help move cool air throughout the house.
• Box Fans: Place box fans in windows facing out to blow warm air from a room, giving way to the exchange of cooler air into the room.
• Use Fan Timers: Turn on the fans when cooling is needed. Fans fitted with timers can be turned off when the owner is not using them to save energy.

Why Use the Fans to Ease the AC Unit's Work Load?

Running fans to circulate the air will keep the workload off your air conditioning unit, delivering several benefits in terms of enhanced comfort and energy efficiency:

• Comfort: Fans improve air circulation, making the indoor environment more comfortable by preventing hot spots and promoting even cooling.
• Energy Efficiency: Fans help the AC cool the room, allowing you to set the thermostat a few degrees higher without sacrificing comfort, resulting in energy savings.
• Prolonged AC Lifespan: Reducing the workload on your AC can decrease wear and tear on the system, potentially extending its lifespan and reducing the need for frequent repairs.

Refer to these seven practical suggestions to have the coldest, most efficient air conditioner so as to have comfort and a cool atmosphere at work and in your home during hot days. From cleaning or replacing the air filter to turning some fans on for better circulation, these simple steps will undoubtedly give your AC a better drive. Scheduled maintenance, too, along with proper thermostat settings, massively affect optimal cooling. Follow these tips to enjoy a cooler home and lower energy bills.