Summer is already upon us, and air conditioning systems are already in full swing. Most people don’t think about their HVAC system until it’s too late and something critical breaks and they are stuck without air. When your air conditioning isn’t blowing cold air, it can make your house unbearable to be in. And with Murphy’s Law, this usually happens on a Friday night, and it can be challenging to get a technician out to look at your unit for a few days.
Your air conditioner is very much like your vehicle. It would help if you had it frequently serviced to ensure it stays running and replacing worn-out parts. If you put off this process, then you leave yourself open to higher repair bills and inconvenience of no cool air in your home.
Below are some excellent tips on how to ensure your HVAC system can handle the hot summer months without going out on you.
System Cleaning
HVAC systems get dirty, especially the units that are at ground level around your house. The air conditioner condensers especially take a beating from the elements, dirt, dust, pets, bugs, and rodents.
If you live in an area that can get windy or near a freeway, you may need more cleaning than the average person. A car traveling at high rates of speed on the highway kick up dirt and dust for nearby homes and businesses. Not only should your air filters get changed more frequently, but you should have the condensers cleaned regularly.
Change Air Filters
One of the most straightforward maintenance tasks to perform on an air conditioning system is the replacement of the air filters. As a general rule of thumb, they should be changed every three months. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. People forget or they don’t think it is crucial.
What most people don’t realize is that when the filters get dirty, it restricts airflow and makes your system work harder to produce cold air. When that happens, you are putting extra strain on the motor and related parts. Simply changing your air filter can save you from having a costly repair in the future.
Schule a Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is essential to an HVAC system. Technicians will come out and test, clean, lubricate, and inspect your system. If you have a part that is going bad, they can catch it before it breaks. Most HVAC companies will perform a 15+ point inspection on your system. At the very minimum, you will want the preventative maintenance to happen before the two major seasons in which the system runs the most, winter and summer.
Customers now have the option of switching their air conditioners from traditional electricity to solar energy. Yes, you heard that right. When you call upon the maintenance guy for the service, you can ask him about the process. You can also contact specialised companies who are offering solar air conditioner for household use. These air conditioners are very efficient, and bring down your electricity costs in a drastic fashion. We all know how air conditioners run up the highest bills.
Programmable Thermostat
If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, you really should invest in one. Nowadays the smart programmable thermostats are the way to go. They are worth the price and will end up saving you money on energy cost in the long run.
The smart programmable thermostats will learn more about you and your family’s needs. It will eventually learn your patterns and will only turn on when you need it while you are home. This will end up saving you money on your electric bill each month.
Final Thoughts
The hot summer months can take a toll on your air conditioner. However, if you follow these simple tasks, you can prolong the life of your HVAC equipment, you can avoid the costly repairs and system failures.