As summer is in full swing, staying cool can become your biggest concern as you seek to acclimatize to high temperatures. There’s no doubt that this season can have soaring temperatures that can sometimes be uncomfortable if you mostly spend your time indoors. But like every trouble coming your way, a well-functioning AC unit can go a long way if you want to stay calm. But is your AC unit surviving the scorching summer?
1. Have a Professional Perform Yearly Maintenance
Having a professional HVAC technician handy for your annual AC unit maintenance is the first step toward keeping your AC unit ready. Regular maintenance primarily cleans the unit and ensures all parts are operational. That way, you can rest assured knowing that your system operates efficiently. A well-maintained AC unit is less likely to break down when you need it the most. Besides, it helps lower your energy bills, keeping your pockets intact.
During the visit, the technician will clean or replace air filters that may be clogging up the airflow and efficiency with dust and dirt. They’ll also check refrigerant levels to ensure the unit cools correctly and inspect all electrical parts to prevent malfunction. Lubricating all moving parts to decrease wear and tear will improve the unit’s efficiency. It’d also help to calibrate the thermostat to maintain an accurate temperature reading.
Lack of annual maintenance can turn tinier issues into more significant problems. Therefore, maintaining your unit can be handy since repairs are usually costly, sometimes prompting you to replace your unit entirely.
2. Insulate and Seal Your Home
Your top consideration should be the insulation and sealing of your home. Remember, if the insulation needs to be improved, even the most efficient air conditioning unit will find it hard to cut corners when trying to cool your home down. Proper insulation can seal cool air within your house while locking hot air outside, making your AC unit’s job a breeze.
Here are some steps you can do to enhance the insulation of your home:
Seal Windows and Doors – You can use weather stripers on doors and caulk on windows to prevent cold air from escaping.
Attic Insulation – Attics can significantly increase heat in your home. Therefore, please ensure you properly insulate your attic to minimize heat gain.
Close curtains and blinds – Sun rays can lead to significant heat gain in your home. Closing your curtains and blinds can help minimize heat gain, which would otherwise overwork your AC unit.
Use Ceiling Fans. Ceiling fans can effectively circulate cool air in your home, raising your thermostat several degrees without compromising comfort.
3. Check how old your AC unit is and how efficient it still might be:
It’d be best to consider upgrading your conditioning unit if it’s aged and has consistently served you for over a decade. Installing new, high-efficiency replacement equipment can go a long way. Older units are usually inefficient and may need costly repairs as you continuously use them.
The good thing is that modern AC units have better designs and layouts, ensuring better cooling while minimizing energy bill costs since they tag along with more energy-efficient features. Consider the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating when investing in a new unit. The higher the rating, the better the performance and efficiency.
4. Check out Your AC Unit Before the Heat
Don’t wait until summer to determine whether or not your AC unit functions properly. Instead, be more proactive with frequent testing to ensure it’s always working as it should. Turn the unit on frequently before it gets hot to ensure it properly cools your home. Be more vigilant with how quickly the equipment cools the house or property. If possible, please be aware of any unusual noises or if the air from the vents is as cool as you want.
If your air conditioner produces weird noises, has nagging mildew smells, has poor airflow, or is dispensing warm air, among other troubles, please act quickly. Contact a qualified HVAC technician to help identify and correct the issue before it progresses. This approach may help you avoid uncomfortable days and costly emergency repairs during summer.
5. Change the Air Filter Regularly
A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and make your unit work harder to cool your home. That reduces efficiency, raises energy bills, and overworks your unit, making it prone to overheating or breaking.
Try replacing your air filters every 1-3 months. However, you can vary this span depending on how often you use your AC, if you live with pets, or if the area has a lot of pollen. Maintaining a clean filter in your system helps ensure your AC operates optimally, providing healthy, clean air in your home.
6. Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat is critical to the efficiency of your complete AC system. Ensure you set your thermostat at a comfortable but not a low setting. Overworking your unit by setting the lever lower than necessary may unnecessarily raise your electricity bills.
Consider installing either a programmable or smart thermostat. These devices can allow you to plan or schedule your air conditioning, automatically minimizing their functioning once they detect that you aren’t around your house. Some smart thermostats can learn patterns and adjust settings to guarantee maximum comfort.
7. Inspect and Clean the Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit, known as the condenser, is an integral part of your air conditioning system that can accumulate dirt, leaves, and other debris over time and improve airflow. Below are ways to ensure your outdoor unit works optimally.
Remove Debris – Ensure that leaves, grass clippings, and other debris don’t gather around the outdoor unit to prevent air holes from blocking it.
Clean the Fins – Dirt and dust can clog your condenser coil. Clean them with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to ensure the air passages are clean and open.
Check for Damage – Always stay vigilant, ensuring the unit is in perfect shape. You can check for bent fins or refrigerant leaks and adequately address them to ensure your AC unit serves you best.
8. Ductwork Is Where the Action Is
Your AC works with ducts that spread cool air throughout your home. If your ductwork is leaky, blocked, or poorly insulated, it can significantly decrease the efficiency of your system and your home’s comfort. You may take the following steps to ensure your ductwork is in good condition:
Examine the ducts for Leaks – Look for visible gaps or holes in the ductwork and seal them using duct tape or mastic sealant.
Clean the ducts—Dust and debris may accumulate inside the ducts over time, reducing airflow and spreading allergens around your home. If you find plenty of dust coming from your vents, be sure to have them professionally cleaned. If any ducts travel through unconditioned spaces, like the attic or basement, properly insulate them to avoid energy loss.
9. Plan for Spring Start-up and Continued Maintenance Over the Summer
After preparing it and ensuring it’s set for the summer, you’ll still need to maintain your AC unit adequately. A maintenance routine keeps the system running smoothly and efficiently, with a chance to rectify potential problems early on.
Here are additional Spring Start-Up and Continued Maintenance Period Tips:
Inspect the Air Filter Monthly – necessary, although you have recently changed your filter, especially when it’s the peak of the cooling season. It is advisable to check it monthly and see if it should be replaced.
Monitor Your Energy Bills—If your energy bills suddenly hike, this indicates that an air conditioning unit is working harder than it should. There is probably a maintenance issue.
Listen for Strange Noises—Call a technician immediately if your unit suddenly starts making unusual noises, such as banging, rattling, or a hissing sound while it is on.
10. Consider a Whole-Home Energy Audit
A whole-home energy audit thoroughly assesses your home’s energy usage. A qualified professional usually conducts and ensures this audit. Typically, they evaluate your home’s insulation, ductwork, and window levels to identify the crucial areas needing improvement.
This audit can be more informative as it gives you the information you need to make thoughtful upgrades within your home. These upgrades should ensure your AC unit works optimally. Your comfort levels may go a notch higher after an audit and subsequent upgrades, minimizing your energy consumption over time.
Contact the Best Local Air Conditioner Unit Expert Today
As you survive summertime, these steps will ensure that your house has a properly functioning air conditioning system to keep things cool and pleasant. If you require professional help, don’t hesitate to contact us for repairs and upgrades to stay cool all summer.