You might think that opening your windows while the A/C is on will increase airflow within your home. This is a popular mistake made amongst many, and we are here to put a stop to it. Your HVAC system works hard to cool down your home, and opening the windows will only counteract your system’s progress. Here are some reasons why opening your windows with the A/C running should be rethought.
Keep the Cool Air In- Air conditioners keep you comfortable when the summer heat hits, so why let the summer heat in? Warm air from outside needs to stay put in order for your air conditioner to work the way that it should. Opening your windows just makes your system work harder than it needs to and raises your energy bills. One open window or crack is enough to put your air conditioner behind.
Never Ending Job- When you let cool air escape from your home, you will have to set your A/C at a higher setting in order to get the job done. Because your air conditioner is working harder, it will need to run for longer periods of time and start back up more quickly in order to keep your home at the desired temperature. This will lead to your HVAC system working harder than it needs to which can result in a shorter lifespan.
Breath of Fresh Air- When you leave the windows open in your house, you not only let the cool air escape, but you also let unfiltered air and allergens in. The extra particles and dust can lower your indoor air quality and slow down your air conditioner due to debris coating the system.
Alternatives- If you are that person that opens the windows to increase airflow, there are other ways to keep heat out. Start by closing your blinds and curtains. It’s great to let that natural sunlight in, but if you are not in a certain room, away from home all day or don’t mind keeping the sunlight out, this will go a long way in reducing the heat in your home. Another way to keep your home cool is to make sure that your windows are locked and there are no cracks between doors or window seals. Even the slightest cracks can let out a lot of cool air. Lastly, you should make sure that your home is fully insulated. Heat comes from the walls, ceilings, and floor. Insulation is very important in keeping warm or cool air in and outside air out. Ways to tell if you need insulation in your home is if the temperature fluctuates between rooms, your energy bills spike up and down or during the winter if your walls and floors are abnormally cold.
We hope these tips have prepared you to enjoy a cool summer and hopefully you will think twice before opening a window! For any heating or cooling needs, call your local, trusted HVAC company, 72 Degrees. We have a great team of experienced technicians waiting to help with any HVAC maintenance or concerns. You can call us at 515-965-7272 or visit our website at 72degrees.com.