Your air conditioner is vital to your comfort, your health, the habitability of your home, and the level of your indoor air quality. As the fall season arrives, you may feel inclined to open your windows and allow the beautiful outdoor air to venture indoors. But before you do, make sure your windows are closed! Why, you ask? Here, our AC company, Bloomington Heating & Air, discusses why it's a bad idea to open your windows while your air conditioner is turned on.
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Increased Dust Accumulation
Your HVAC system provides various benefits while performing different tasks to keep your home comfortable and welcoming. HVAC systems typically have air filters, designed to trap airborne particulates, like dust, mold, mildew, and more, preventing them from flowing through your system and into the air you breathe. While you may know to change your air filters regularly, many don't know leaving your windows open can cause dust to accumulate in your home and system, possibly causing the system to experience functional issues or breakdowns.
High Levels Of Humidity
High-quality indoor air requires a delicate balance of humidity levels. With moderate-to-high humidity levels in October in Bloomington, you likely seek refuge from the excess moisture by venturing indoors. But if you leave your windows open while your air conditioner cools your indoor air, you may be letting excess outdoor humidity into your home, causing your home to experience high humidity levels. When this happens, your AC may work overtime to keep your space cool.
Keep Your HVAC Clean
Keeping your HVAC system clean and well-maintained is essential for longevity and efficiency. With an HVAC maintenance plan, you can ensure that your filters, air ducts, and coils are clean. When your HVAC system collects dust and grime, it can impede its ability to heat or cool your space efficiently. Regular cleaning through an HVAC maintenance plan can help the system work more efficiently, reducing energy consumption and lowering your energy bills.
Irregular, Inefficient Cooling
Keeping your air conditioner on while opening the windows can cause irregular and inefficient cooling. You may notice various hot and cold zones throughout your living space. When warm air from the outdoors constantly filters into your home, your air conditioner will attempt (but likely fail) to maintain your preset temperature. When you turn on your AC, it kicks itself into high gear and remains on until your desired temperature is met, at which point it shuts off. If you keep the windows open, the cycle cannot be completed, causing your system to cycle longer. This can mean more frequent HVAC breakdowns and repairs.
Greater System Wear & Tear
When you leave your windows open while your air conditioning is turned on, your HVAC system is likely to experience increased damage due to wear and tear. High levels of indoor humidity, accumulations of dust, inefficient cooling, and higher indoor temperatures all contribute to your system working overtime to meet your desired temperature. When your system works harder than it has to, it accumulates more wear and tear than it should, resulting in a shorter functional lifespan, frequent breakdowns, and a recurring need for repairs.