Successful home renovations result in not only a beautiful home, but according to The Maryland and Delaware Management team, should be one that’s comfortable to live in as well. One often overlooked item when planning a home renovation is the air conditioning system. While you might not necessarily need to replace your air conditioning system entirely, you’ll want to make sure it will perform reliably.
Nothing is worse than finishing a renovation only to have your AC system break down. To help you avoid a disastrous ending to your home improvement plans, we’ve compiled the top five air conditioning tips to make your renovation a win.
Top 5 Air Conditioning Home Improvement Tips
Diving into a home renovation can be an intimidating task. The last thing you need is adding more to your to-do list. But some home improvement items should be attended to before others. One of these items is the air conditioning. Aside from increasing your comfort, you’ll enjoy lower energy bills and a better night’s rest. Let’s look at five tips for improving your air conditioning.
1. Get A Basic System Inspection
Being completely aware of what you’re working with regarding your air conditioning system provides a solid foundation to improve on. For a relatively low cost, you can hire a professional technician to look into the condition of your air conditioner before spending big bucks on cosmetic changes to your home.
The major components of a central air system can cost upwards of $10,000. Wouldn’t you rather know it needs replacement before you pay to remodel your bathroom? Hiring a professional HVAC company to inspect or system will uncover potential issues so you can budget in advance.
Often, smaller and cheaper parts that fail can cause damage to more costly parts. Replacing inexpensive yet important parts could mean huge savings in the long run, making the cost of a check-up well worth the investment.
2. Install A Wi-Fi Thermostat
Saving money on energy is on everyone’s mind these days, and there are few easier and cheaper ways to do this than installing a Wi-Fi thermostat at home. With so many of these devices on the market today, their cost has dropped to very reasonable pricing, making them a no-brainer for DIYers.
If energy efficiency is a top priority for you, a Wi-Fi thermostat makes it possible to fine-tune your air conditioning to only use it when you really need it. You’ll be able to control the system from anywhere, anytime using your smartphone. So if you’re away traveling for the week, you can turn the air conditioning up during an unexpected heatwave back home and save money.
3. Replace Wall Air Conditioners That Cycle Too Frequently
When a wall air conditioner makes far too much noise by cycling on and off, it can cost you valuable sleep time. Not to mention, they can cost more to operate due to their lack of efficiency.
If your wall or window air conditioner turns on and off to a distracting extent, it’s probably time to buy a new one. The same goes for central air systems and mini-splits. At the very least, you’ll want to have the major components of central air conditioners checked out by a pro if the system can’t seem to make its mind up about what to do.
4. Hide Ugly Air Conditioning Equipment
For many folks, home improvement projects are centered around making their property more attractive. One downside to air conditioning equipment is that it’s unsightly. Cooling fins sticking out of windows and walls, condenser units taking up exterior space, and air vents all marr the image of an otherwise beautiful home. To improve this aesthetic situation, try hiding your ugly air conditioning equipment.
If you have a wall AC unit or window air conditioner, you can paint it to match the surrounding wall color so it totally blends in. Just be sure to use paint that’s safe for the type of plastics and metals found on these types of air conditioners. For central air condensers outside, you can install a trellis with flowering vines or tall shrubs to hide the big metal box filled with mechanical equipment.
5. Upgrade For Energy Savings
No matter if you own a simple wall air conditioner, mini-split, or central air, older systems can be extremely demanding of electricity, costing you a small fortune to stay comfortable. Upgrading to a newer, more energy-efficient air conditioner could save you as much as 50% on energy costs compared to your old system.
To get the best deal in the long-run, it’s often worth it to spend a little more up-front on an air conditioner that has better ratings when it comes to energy consumption. So be sure to shop carefully and do the math for the entire first year of ownership, not just the price in the store.
Seeking More Home Improvement Inspiration?
Hopefully this article helps you improve your air conditioning without breaking the bank. For your next home improvement project, browse our blog for more tips!