If you’ve lived in our area through even just one summer season, then you already know that your air conditioner is in for a big workout pretty soon. Fortunately, cooling systems are durable and designed to handle the heat—when they are properly cared for.
When they’re not properly cared for, you can find yourself paying a lot more than you should have to for your AC to keep you cool. You might also find yourself calling for our AC repair professionals a lot more than you think you should need to. Of course, we’re always happy to help! We would like to help you avoid needless repairs, though. Read on as we uncover how to do just that.
Schedule AC Maintenance
If you haven’t already scheduled air conditioning maintenance, now is the time to do so. Honestly, unless your air conditioner is broken down beyond repair, it’s never too late to schedule air conditioning maintenance. But it’s typically better convenience-wise to have it scheduled in the spring before you need the system the most.
Consistency matters more than timing, here. If you have a traditional central air conditioner, this means having it maintained once a year. If you have a year-round heat pump system, maintenance is needed every 6 months.
Raise the Temperature on Your Thermostat
We get it, this sounds like counterintuitive advice—but bear with us!
We aren’t asking you to turn on the heat during the summer, that wouldn’t make any sense. However, you may be keeping your thermostat lower than really necessary. A lower thermostat setting doesn’t provide your living space with cooling any faster. It just keeps the compressor running longer, which wears down on the system faster.
We recommend setting the temperature on your thermostat to 78° during the day since this is the temperature most people can stay comfortable at.
Check Your Outdoor Unit for Buildup
The outside unit of your air conditioner, known as the condenser cabinet, is where your air conditioner exhausts the heat it removes from your home. It cannot do this effectively if the cabinet grill is dirty, or if trees and brush are obstructing it. You want to clear out the area by about a foot on all sides to enable proper airflow. We also suggest cleaning off any dirt or grime with a hose (not a high-pressured one, though—this can damage the coils).
Clear Indoor Obstructions
Your outdoor unit isn’t the only portion of your air conditioner at risk of losing airflow due to buildup. Your indoor vents can get dusty, or be blocked with things like furniture, backpacks, toys, and the like. This will negatively impact the airflow coming into your home, leading to less comfort for you, and an air conditioner that has to run too long and therefore work too hard to do its job.
Change the Air Filter
The air filter that comes standard with your HVAC system upon installation is in place to protect the system and the blower fan from dust and other debris drawn-in through the return air ducts. The filter becomes congested after 1-3 months, and needs to be replaced, or cleaned if it’s a permanent filter. Otherwise, the blockage of airflow will cause stress for your cooling system.
At Comfort Incorporated, we keep your family safe, healthy and comfortable—call today, service today!
