How to Keep My AC Unit Running In The Summer
Summers in Somerset, KY are hot and humid. Without a working air conditioner, the interior of your home could become unbearable. Fortunately, there are eight ways to keep your AC performing optimally throughout the summer.
1. Schedule Pre-Season AC Tune-Up Service
Start your summer off right by having your AC professionally tuned up. Annual tune-up services help homeowners stay compliant with the terms of their AC manufacturer’s warranties. They also promote cooling system efficiency, protect and improve indoor air quality (IAQ), and reduce the likelihood of mid-season breakdowns.
During AC maintenance services, we thoroughly inspect, test, and clean:
- AC condensate drains
- Condenser and evaporator coils
- Blower fans and blower motors
- Indoor air handlers
- Refrigerant lines
We also test electrical connections, measure airflow, inspect HVAC air ducts for leaks, and calibrate thermostats. Our technicians utilize multi-point maintenance checklists to ensure the safety and health of cooling systems throughout their life.
2. Purchase an HVAC Preventative Maintenance Plan
Our preventative maintenance plan makes keeping HVAC systems in good working order a cinch. For a low monthly or yearly cost, you’ll receive covered maintenance services for your heating and cooling equipment, discounted replacement parts for maintenance and repairs, priority appointments, and other benefits. This way, if AC problems do arise, you can look forward to lower repair costs and easy scheduling.
3. Establish the Right Filter Replacement Schedule
Dirty air filters lie at the heart of most AC problems. With heavy buildups of debris on their air filters, air conditioners struggle to move air. Generally, it’s best to inspect your filter monthly and replace it as needed. For many homes, this occurs once every one to three months. However, if you have multiple indoor pets, a lot of foot traffic, bare landscape outside, or other IAQ concerns, you may need to inspect and change your air filter more frequently. You can work with our technicians during your maintenance service to determine the best filter replacement schedule for your home.
4. Keep Your HVAC Air Vents Open
Don’t close HVAC air vents to customize the delivery of conditioned air. Central air conditioners cool entire homes uniformly. Closing an air vent to direct conditioned air away from your immediate area will cause a rise in static pressure within your ducts. This may lead to issues like short cycling, overheating, or icing. The only safe way to customize central HVAC to suit individual heating and cooling preferences is by investing in a zone control system.
5. Clear the Condenser’s Perimeter
Although maintaining a lush landscape can enhance your home’s curbside appeal, it’s essential to keep shrubs, grass, and other greenery under control around the perimeter of your AC condenser. This unit must have at least two feet of clearance throughout the entire cooling season. This is where your air conditioner releases the heat it has collected.
When performing your monthly filter inspections, also step outside and check your condenser. In addition to trimming nearby branches and other overgrowth, clear away all loose, windblown debris.
6. Don’t Wait to Report Problems
Air conditioners can operate for months without developing problems. Take note of changes in your AC’s performance, indoor humidity levels, and general comfort. If your home feels muggy or clammy or if your AC is suddenly much louder than normal, schedule inspection and repair services. Don’t let minor issues fester. Doing so could result in far more costly repairs or outright AC failure.
7. Don’t Wait to Replace an Old AC
Stay abreast of your need for AC replacement. You can ask our technicians to estimate the remaining lifespan of your AC. Air conditioners often last 15 to 20 years. If your current AC is nearing its two-decade mark, scheduling AC replacement before summer arrives could help you avoid mid-season failure.
8. Optimize Your Home for the Cooling Season
Limit stress on your air conditioner and lower your cooling costs by optimizing your home for the summer season. Install light-blocking window treatments to prevent midday solar heat gains. Seal up gaps and cracks around your windows and doors to prevent air loss.
Although your ceiling fans won’t produce cooled air, they can create a nice cooling breeze that makes your home feel comfortable at higher temperatures. Set your ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise. This will push cool air from your AC down and might make it possible to set your thermostat two to three degrees higher than you normally would.
At Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing, we turn homes into havens with expert AC maintenance, repair, and replacement services. To learn more about our preventive maintenance plan or schedule an AC tune-up in Somerset, please contact Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing today.
