With summer right around the corner and the temperature going up outside, you’re probably gearing your air conditioner up for a busy few months. Your AC is crucial through those steamy July and August days, and you want to be sure as a homeowner that your units are operating at maximum efficiency. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to assure that your AC unit or system is doing everything it has to run smoothly through summertime.
Regular Maintenance
Maintaining your air conditioner is actually a year-round job. Be sure to regularly clean and change air filters for your home’s air conditioning to avoid the accrual of dust and other allergens. This will reduce pressure on an AC unit to assure peak efficiency while boosting your indoor air quality. AC maintenance also requires the removal of debris near condenser coils and outdoor units of your home’s air conditioner. Proper cleaning will prevent drains from getting clogged and creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
If you as a homeowner have qualms about doing your own routine maintenance, don’t hesitate to schedule an AC tune-up with a licensed technician. They’ll be able to do a full assessment of your cooling system that could spare you a costly repair down the line. If you have a more complex HVAC system, this will also afford you an opportunity to have equipment and wires inspected. This includes searching for any leaks and cracks in the ducts that are interrupting airflow.
Proper Insulation
Believe it or not, having your household property insulated can help to avoid a later breakdown of your air conditioner. If you have a window AC unit, inspect the seal between your systems and the window frame to ensure it makes contact with the air conditioner’s metal case. Moisture can damage this seal, allowing cool air to escape your home. You can also avoid troubles with your HVAC unit by replacing damaged or rotted insulation within your outdoor AC lines.
Spray foam and other sealants can help to seal cracks and leaks in your household, preventing cold air from seeping out near your HVAC system or allowing unwelcome critters inside. This can be part of a season tune for homeowners. You can either have this addressed before the warmer months or after the summer if you think this could impact the furnace of your HVAC unit in the winter. These annual tune-ups can spare you from expensive repairs down the line.
Conserving Energy
Reducing pressure on your air conditioning units or your HVAC system can have an immediate impact on your energy bills. Regular cleaning and changing of air filters are beneficial, as you won’t be running to crank the thermostat up when the cool air just doesn’t seem to be flowing properly.
Beyond a filter change, you can look into air conditioning units with the Energy Star logo. These have the approval of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, operating greener and helping homeowners to save on energy costs.
These units come with an ‘energy saver’ option that will moderate when an AC unit kicks on in relation to your home’s indoor temperature. Homeowners can even invest in a programmable thermostat that will allow for adjustment of temperature levels, and time when an HVAC unit goes on and off. This avoids having an air conditioner or heater run all day long, expending energy with no one at home.
Newer smart thermostats even provide the convenience of turning on an air conditioner through an app before you get back home. AC technicians can help to properly install those thermostats, along with the AC system best suited for your home.
