In an apartment, air conditioning can provide much needed relief on hot days and nights. However, it can be expensive, inefficient, and frustrating if it doesn’t work properly. So how can you circulate air conditioning in your apartment effectively?
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To circulate air conditioning in an apartment, install fans or use air purifiers to improve indoor air quality. Change old air filters and seal up any cracks or openings around windows and doors. Lastly, limit the use of appliances that generate heat while running the air conditioning unit.
Read on and learn how to cool your apartment effectively and efficiently by ensuring air conditioning circulates properly.
1. Use a Fan To Improve Circulation
It’s hard to go wrong with using an air conditioner to keep your apartment cool. Nonetheless, you might complain that your cooling system isn’t doing the job. One potential culprit is the lack of circulation of cool air. Using the correct fan can offer the best solution.
A fan helps an air conditioner function more effectively. Some might think that using both appliances is counter-productive since they may consume more energy. However, if you use them wisely, it can be cost-effective while making sure you stay as comfortable as possible.
Fans will help circulate the cool air that the air conditioning generates. It prevents the cold air from settling. Instead, the fan will help push cool air outward and upward, which is especially important in a place with multiple rooms and a single air conditioning.
When using fans to circulate air conditioning, below are some of the most common types to consider:
- Floor Fan: It’s an excellent choice for moving air from room to room in an apartment. Position the floor fan at the room’s entrance with an air conditioner. It will pull cool air from that room and distribute it to the other room.
- Box Fan: Another alternative is to place a box fan on the window of the hotter room in your apartment. It should face outward, which will allow it to pull hot air. It helps if you have a window in the cooler room for circulating cool air.
- Ceiling Fan: The air circulated by a ceiling fan makes you perceive room temperatures as lower than they actually are. This means that when used in combination with an air conditioner, you can raise the thermostat up a couple of degrees and still feel just as comfortable as before – but at much less energy cost.
More than the type of fan to use, the strategic positioning of the fan is also a crucial consideration. It ensures effectiveness in distributing cool air to other rooms in your apartment.
Read: Top 5 Common Problems With Two-Stage Air Conditioners You Need To Know
2. Compliment With an Air Purifier
Aside from fans, air purifiers can also improve circulation in your apartment. It isn’t designed for cooling a room. However, since air purifiers generate airflow, they can help deliver a cooler effect when the air conditioning works.
Air purifiers influence air movement. When this moving air reaches your skin, you will feel cooler than stagnant indoor air. Even if you feel cooler, take note that using an air purifier and the air conditioner will not lower room temperature.
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If budget isn’t an issue, consider using an air purifier that doubles as a fan. Dyson is one of the most popular brands offering such a product. It can help you get rid of impurities in the air in your apartment while also cooling your space.
The best thing about an air purifier is that it goes beyond cleaning the air. It can also be effective in eliminating smoke and odor. Hence, it can be an excellent investment if you often cook in your apartment but hate the lingering smell.
Read: How To Fix Air Conditioner Leaking Water Inside?
3. Change Air Filters
Another common culprit for poor air conditioning circulation in an apartment is clogged air ducts. They will accumulate dirt over time. It can be a culprit for many problems in your apartment, such as increasing the risk of the breakdown of your HVAC system.
More importantly, clogged air ducts negatively impact indoor air quality, resulting in various health problems like allergies and respiratory diseases.
More so, dirty air filters reduce airflow. Therefore, it’s more difficult for your apartment’s cooling system to work, which can also restrict cool air circulation. It can also put undue pressure on the motor of the air conditioner.
It’s also essential that you’re familiar with the different kinds of air filters, so you’ll know which one is most appropriate for your air conditioner. Below are the most common options:
- HEPA Filter: These state-of-the-art filters are designed to eliminate nearly all dust, pollen, pet dander, and other particles from the air. They work by capturing small particles on filter media as air passes over it.
- Pleated Air Filter: It comes with a polyester or cloth-like material, which strains impurities from the air. The cloth has an accordion shape and is known for having a large surface area.
- Fiberglass Filter: This is the most common filter for air conditioning systems. It has fiberglass strands in the frame, which is a barrier against dirt. The filter is known for being affordable, but it isn’t as efficient as others.
- Washable Air Filter: Those who want to save money might consider using this air filter. It’s cheap and washable so you can reuse them. Nonetheless, it’s not best for highly polluted indoor environments as it has poor performance.
When choosing an air filter, consider what is suitable for your unit and consider the pollutants in your apartment. The more impurities are present in the air, the more powerful your air filters should be.
The good news is that cleaning air filters can be an easy DIY task. Watch the video below and find out how to do it like a pro:
4. Seal Cracks or Gaps
When the air conditioning in your apartment isn’t circulating cool air, look for cracks and gaps. They cause cool air to escape, so it won’t effectively distribute throughout your living space. It can also be a waste of money because of its energy use.
The window gap around the air conditioner could be the primary source of the opening. It leaks air and reduces efficiency, making it more difficult for air to circulate in the apartment. Using rope caulk or any clay-like material can help seal small gaps.
Look at the windowsills and doors. Gaps would mean that hot air can enter, making it more challenging to cool the room. Meanwhile, it could also mean that cool air leaves the apartment.
Read: Do You Have To Vent A Portable Air Conditioner In Heat Mode?
5. Limit the Use of Appliances That Generate Heat
Many people might not realize it, but operating multiple appliances at the same time can negatively impact the air conditioning in your apartment. It can make some areas hotter than others and will affect air circulation.
Therefore, limiting the simultaneous use of appliances that can generate extreme heat might be a good idea. They can elevate the temperature in your home and make it harder for the cooling system to work.
Examples of these appliances include:
- Washers and dryers
- Air fryers
- Ovens
- Electric stoves
- Incandescent bulbs
Read: Why Air Conditioning Unit Won’t Turn On? 3 Troubleshooting Steps
Conclusion
It can be annoying when your air conditioning doesn’t circulate in the apartment, especially in summer. To prevent this from happening, install fans to help circulate or distribute heat. Change air filters and seal cracks to ensure better cool air circulation.