Avoid AC Repairs This Summer

As we reach the height of summer, we get more calls asking for emergency AC repairs. It’s understandable, as this is the season when homeowners often have their air conditioning running at full blast around the clock – putting additional strain on the AC system.

The last thing you want is for your AC to break down at the hottest time of year. So, if you want to avoid the inconvenience of a broken unit and unnecessary repairs, follow our tips on how to keep your air conditioning system in tip-top shape.

Routine Maintenance
More often than not, residential clients only contact us when something goes wrong. However, scheduling routine maintenance for your AC unit can prolong its life and ensure that potential issues are addressed before they get out of hand. It’s usually best to have a routine maintenance check done twice a year; spring and fall are convenient times to do this.

Your AC technician will check the thermostat, electrical connections and wiring, fans and filters, and the evaporator and condenser coils. Depending on what kind of AC system your home has, they can also check the ductwork to ensure that the air is flowing properly.

By having routine maintenance performed on your AC unit, you’ll avoid costly repairs. You can also save money on your energy bill by making sure that the system is running efficiently.

Check Your Filters
Air conditioning isn’t just about cooling your home. Your AC system is also important for maintaining your indoor air quality.

Dirty filters reduce airflow and can lead to poor performance of your duct work. Aside from affecting your air quality, these issues can also lead to inefficient cooling – your unit will have to work harder to circulate cool air through the house, thus putting more strain on the system. If you smell musty, moldy, or dusty odors coming from your AC vents, it could be a sign that your filters need to be cleaned.

Depending on the size of your house and the type of air conditioner you have installed, filters should be cleaned or replaced every few months. Fortunately, your AC technician can usually do this for you during routine maintenance, which means that you only need to clean the filters a few times a year between maintenance visits.

Be Temperature Savvy
One way to avoid putting too much strain on your air conditioning system is to modify the temperature settings according to the ambient temperature.

So, if you’re experiencing a cooler day outside, you can probably afford to change the temperature setting. The same is usually true at night: you can keep the cooling to a minimum in the hours between sunset and sunrise.

If it seems like too much effort to modulate the temperature manually, there are a number of ‘smart’ thermostats on the market that can do this for you automatically, or that you can program to change the temperature settings at different times of the day. These systems are also ideal if you’re not often home during the day and therefore don’t need the AC running at full capacity, but want it to start cooling your home an hour before you get home.

Taking care of your air conditioning system is a worthwhile investment that will keep your energy costs down and help you avoid unnecessary repairs during the summer months.