In many leased residences, heating and cooling bills typically form more than half of a household’s total utility expenses, placing a heavy load on tenants managing their finances each month without respite. During warmer periods, air conditioning can markedly escalate these expenses, drawing funds away from other necessary expenditures over time. As a property owner, it’s essential to keep utilities as low as possible to bolster your investment’s returns while keeping renter’s content. By focusing on essential maintenance for your air conditioning unit and employing a handful of savvy techniques, you can optimize your air conditioning system, ensuring expenses under control stay reasonable while offering a refreshing haven for those living in your properties.
Perform essential HVAC maintenance regularly
A prime approach to increase your air conditioning unit’s efficiency is to clean your air conditioning unit diligently at least once each year, maintaining its functionality across its service life without fail. If it’s situated outdoors on the ground, make it a point to clear away any leaves or debris that might have collected around its edges, since this mess can block airflow substantially over months. Also, clean your unit’s condenser coils, scrubbing off filth that hampers heat dispersion and diminishes performance steadily.
Examine the drain lines for clogs too; if they’re plugged, you could have a professional fix it or manage it yourself if you’re capable. Most air conditioning units have a drain near the indoor cooling coil, often found next to the furnace in your layout. To keep it flowing, clear it by pouring one cup of bleach down the drain, then rinsing it with a gallon of water to wash away buildup and stop clogs from recurring down the road.
Prevent the HVAC from working harder than it should
Effective air distribution is key to optimizing your air conditioning system for steady cooling throughout your rental property without excessive effort over time. Start by clearing items away from your indoor vents, then vacuum them to clear out dust that could obstruct airflow noticeably over weeks. This will help your AC system distribute cold air evenly across all living spaces without disruption. It’s also prudent to keep your interior doors open, letting air move freely throughout the home’s entirety without barriers. During the hottest parts of the day, close your blinds or curtains to ward off sunlight that might warm interiors excessively over hours. Ensure windows and doors have good quality weather-stripping to prevent air leaks and keep the cold air circulating inside consistently all day long. Consider raising your thermostat by two or three degrees, targeting 78 degrees at home, to reduce the strain on your air conditioning unit while keeping tenants reasonably comfortable overall. Using a fan with your air conditioning, such as a ceiling fan or table fan, can circulate the air faster and boost your air conditioning unit’s functionality, intensifying the cooling sensation noticeably.
Avoid adding extra heat sources
Routine activities can unwittingly raise indoor heat, compelling your air conditioning unit to exert more effort to keep the property cool and livable consistently over time. Tasks like cooking with the oven or running the clothes dryer—appliances that all heat up your house—should be dodged during the hottest parts of the day to limit unnecessary warmth piling up indoors. Instead, aim for using your appliances in the morning or at night, when outdoor temperatures naturally cool off significantly. In the warmest months, if cooking can’t be postponed, switch on an exhaust fan to pull the heat out of the house, easing the burden on your cooling system considerably over time.
Combining regular maintenance can optimize your air conditioning system with these clever practices reduces utility bills, limits repair needs, and keeps tenants happy all summer without exception. At Real Property Management Charleston, we’re adept at maintaining all our rental properties, ensuring air conditioning systems work seamlessly for providing a comfortable living experience. Need property management services in Charleston? Contact us online or call 843-900-4061 for assistance anytime!
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