Your air conditioner is your best friend when it’s hot outside. But what do you do when your trusted cooling partner breaks down, leaving you hot and sweaty with a hefty repair bill? Don’t worry, if you give your AC a little TLC, you can keep cool all season without having to pay for expensive fixes. Here are some simple tips.
Be a Filter Fanatic
Just as you need underwear, your air conditioner needs a filter. Your system would have to work harder and less efficiently if dust and other particles got through this magical mesh. So, check your filter once a month and change it every two to three months, more often in the summer when you use it a lot. Do not skip this critical step. A clogged filter translates to an inefficient AC.
Clear the Condenser Coil Chaos
The outside unit of your AC has coils – their purpose is to get rid of heat, but leaves, grass clippings, and other things can get stuck in them. Once more, this makes your AC work harder and reduces its lifespan. Once or twice a year, use a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner to clean out the coils gently. Don’t forget to turn off the AC first.
Thermostat Tweaks
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We all like it when our homes are cool, but turning up the AC to a very high level won’t help. A few degrees higher on the thermostat can make a big difference in how much energy you use and how hard your AC unit has to work. You might even get used to the slightly warmer weather, causing you to need less AC in the first place.
Schedule an Annual Check Up
Just as you take your car in for regular checks, you should also consider annual air condition repair. A trained technician should do a professional tune-up on your vehicle at least once a year, ideally before the summer heat hits.
During this checkup, the expert will clean the system, check the amounts of refrigerant and look for any problems that might happen before they get worse.
Give Your AC Some Breathing Room
The outdoor unit of your air conditioner needs a lot of room to breathe and work right. Remove any plants, furniture or other things that could block airflow from the area around the unit. For cooling to work well, there must be good airflow.
Listen for Warning Signs
Even if your AC can’t talk, it can still let you know when something is wrong. Noises that don’t sound normal, like grinding or banging are warning signs. If your home’s cooling isn’t even, rooms never seem to get cool, or there’s too much humidity, the system might not be dehumidifying properly. Take heed of these danger signs if you see them. Before the problem gets worse, call a professional to figure it out.
To keep your AC in good shape, follow these easy steps. This will save you money on fixes and help you enjoy cool, comfortable summers for years to come. Remember that some simple repairs can save you a lot of trouble. Now that your AC unit is happy and healthy go out and beat the heat!
