Window air conditioning units are not nearly as effective as central heat and air, but sometimes, they’re all you can use. This is especially true if it’s the middle of the summer and your main AC unit stops working. Any delays in ordering parts from the manufacturer could force you to break out that window unit you’ve been storing for emergencies in the garage. The guide below shows how to get the most out of window unit air conditioners so you can keep your house as cool as possible.
Use Fans To Direct Airflow
Window units aren’t exactly known for their ability to spread cold air throughout a room. Even if you get a powerful unit, you’re probably only going to get air directly in front of it. To help spread the chill, use fans to direct the air where you want it to go. You can’t move the window itself, but you can move the air coming from it. Fans also give the window unit an extra boost to help its cold air travel farther throughout the house.
Close Off Rooms You Do Not Use
Try to contain the cold air from a window unit by closing off any rooms you don’t necessarily need to be cool. For instance, you may only go into your laundry room or guest bathroom once a day, so you might as well keep those rooms shut off from the air. Close all closet and pantry doors to keep air out of those areas as well, and it will be much easier for you to cool down the rest of your home.
Add Curtains For Insulation
If you use curtains to cover your windows, you won’t have to worry about quite as much heat coming in. you can also put curtains on shower curtain rods if you want to block off a hallway or staircase that does not have a door. For instance, if you are not planning to use the upstairs portion of your house until your AC is fixed, you might as well put a large curtain up to keep air from traveling upstairs. Do this, and you will see a noticeable drop in the temperature of your home.
Get The Right Window Unit For The Room
Above all else, make sure you get a window air conditioning unit that is powerful enough to cool the space you want it to. See how many BTUs are recommended for the size of the space you are trying to cool down, and then get a large enough unit to accommodate your home.
