It goes without saying Oklahoma City, OK air conditioning systems are essential to comfortable living in our area. The right air conditioner, when professionally installed and maintained, can help summers become not only bearable, but actually comfortable. Unless a cooling system just doesn’t work the way it should.
Your cooling system might not be running up to your standards for a number of reasons. Maybe it isn’t reaching the temperature setting on the thermostat fast enough, or perhaps you believe it’s costing you too much to run each month. Fortunately, we have some tips for you to follow that will help your air conditioner cool more effectively, and efficiently.
Change Your Air Filter!
Many homeowners surprisingly overlook this, or think that having it changed during their annual maintenance appointment is enough. There’s also a common misconception that the air filter is there to protect your indoor air quality. However, it’s actually there to protect the inside components of your system from dirt, dust, and other debris that can hinder the system’s performance.
If the air filter becomes too clogged, it’s too hard for your air conditioner to keep you cool, and your system can have parts freeze or malfunction as a result. Be sure to change your filter every 1-3 months (as specified by the manufacturer) for optimal AC performance.
Other AC Performance Advice
Changing your air filter is an absolute must to ensuring your air conditioner performs as it should, and lasts throughout its entire lifespan. It’s an important part of maintaining your system that shouldn’t just be left to your yearly or twice a year maintenance appointments.
There are some other things you can do, too, to boost your cooling system performance, such as:
- Raising the Temperature: Alright, we understand that this may seem counterintuitive. After all, an air conditioner is designed for cooling, so why wouldn’t you want it to do just that? This is true; however, most homeowners have their air conditioners set way lower than really necessary, especially when nobody is home. Raising the temperature by just a couple degrees is enough to help you save significant amounts of energy, and subsequently, money.
- Using a Ceiling Fan: A ceiling fan on its own cannot keep you cool. The fan doesn’t lower the temperature of the room it is in, after all. However, when used in combination with your air conditioner, it helps distribute the cooled air more efficiently, so that you can turn your AC up a bit and it doesn’t have to work as hard. This helps delay repair needs and helps your cooling system last longer too.
- Keeping the System Unobstructed: The outdoor coil of your air conditioner is one area where excessive dirt and debris buildup can create problems for the AC system’s operation. The coil is supposed to enable heat exchange that makes the cooling process possible, but with a dirty coil, you can expect a drop in performance and efficiency. Before turning on your air conditioner for the first time this season, be sure to check that the outdoor unit is unobstructed, clearing away lawn mulch, dirt, and any other debris. It’s also a good idea to check your vents indoors—make sure none of them are blocked so that airflow isn’t restricted.
At Comfort Incorporated, we keep your family safe, healthy and comfortable–call today, service today!
