At JD’s A/C, we know that our friends and neighbors in the Longview, TX, area depend on great air conditioning to beat the intense summer heat. One of the best ways to keep your cooling system running at peak efficiency and minimize air conditioner maintenance costs is to maximize air circulation. Here are a few ways to help air circulate in your home and maintain a comfortable temperature all year long.

Doors and Windows

Perhaps the simplest way to improve circulation in your home is to open doors and windows to let in breezes. A secondary screen door can allow you to leave your front door open through much of the day and let fresh air in and out of the house. Of course, make sure your air conditioner is off whenever the doors and windows are open.

Ceiling Fans

Many people make the mistake of thinking that air conditioners act as a replacement for ceiling fans; each system makes the home cooler, so there is no need to have both. In reality, ceiling fans and air conditioners play complementary roles. Heat tends to rise, so hot air tends to collect up at the top of the room, where an air conditioner needs to work very hard to cool it down. A ceiling fan, however, circulates that hot air downward to reduce the strain on the air conditioner.

To take full advantage of the benefits of ceiling fans, we recommend investing in an Energy Star rated fan. Remember that some fans come with reverse settings that can help improve air circulation during the heating season as well.

Air Filters

An essential component of your air conditioner, the air filter removes dust and debris from the cool air that flows out of the system before it enters your home. Advanced air filters remove more pollutants from the air, but they can also slow down air flow under some circumstances. Consult your air conditioner’s documentation and make sure it can accommodate a more powerful filter before you upgrade.

Cleaning or changing the air filter on a monthly basis is an important part of air conditioner maintenance; if the filter is clogged with debris, the circulation of air through your cooling system will slow down. If your air conditioner use a disposable filter, go to a factory authorized dealer to find replacements that fit your make and model; don’t settle for generic filters from a hardware store. If you have a reusable filter, the best policy is to wash it in cold water and let it air dry before you put it back in the air conditioner.

Attic Venting

If left unchecked, stale air in your home’s attic can slip through the attic floor and impact circulation throughout the house. Setting up an attic vent is a job best performed by ventilation experts, but if you invest in one, your home should benefit from improved air circulation for many years to come.