With the heat of the summer at its peak, it’s easy to assume your AC has your back. But how do you go about guaranteeing your air conditioner is going to run strong all summer without any dips in operation? Take a look at the following maintenance tips to keep your air conditioner operating strongly. It is possible to enjoy a cool summer night despite the temperatures heating up outside.
AC tips for the summer
- Clean your filters
With all of the pollen, pet dander and allergens floating around in the air, your air conditioner’s filters can quickly become clogged with loads of unwanted garbage. It’s important to change out your filters frequently. Standard industry practice would be to exchange your filters every 60 to 90 days. If you have pets or allergy season happens to be strong this year, it’d be smart to change them out sooner than later. This will allow the air to flow freely throughout the house, which can greatly increase the efficiency of your whole house cooling system. - Call an AC professional
To truly extend the life of your air conditioner, it’s always a good idea to call an AC professional like the guys at Supreme Service Today. After doing a thorough inspection of your system, they can recommend what you would need to do to get the most out of your system. An AC professional can also conduct an in-depth 15-point AC tune up of your system as well. This will lead to cooler, free-flowing air, more energy efficiency, and save you a ton of money down the road in preventable repair costs. - Consider a programmable thermostat
While you are home, you like to keep your home temperature cool. We get it – those summer nights can get pretty heated up. However, during the day while you are at work or out galavanting around town, there’s no point in you running your AC system 24/7.If you haven’t done so already, consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat. Doing so will allow you to pre-set scheduled temperature changes as to optimize your energy savings. It may not seem like huge savings from day-to-day; however, it can add up pretty quickly. When you take into consideration that for every degree +/- 78 degrees Fahrenheit can cost you $8, the saving can add up fast, according to Energy Star. - Weatherize your home
If your AC is running and you have air leaks throughout your house, you might as well open all of the doors and windows so you can cool off the front and back yard too. Do yourself a favor, and spend a day doing some basic weatherization around your home. Use air sealant or caulking to seal cracks by your windows or in the attic. If there seems to be a lot of airflow around your exterior doors, try using weather stripping to seal it off. Is your attic heating up too much? Add insulation around your air ducts. These small measures can lead to great results in your monthly energy bill. - Place your AC unit in the shade
While it might not be possible to relocate your air conditioning unit, it is feasible to build a well-ventilated pergola or cover around your AC unit. Doing so will allow the air around your air conditioner to cool down significantly as it’ll be out of the sun. In return, your air conditioner won’t have to work nearly as hard cooling down the air that’s entering your home. Want a bonus? A simple AC unit cover can both beautify your backyard and is cost-effective to build.
These simple steps can lead to an effective solution in keeping your AC blowing cold all summer. What are your tips to keep your AC strong in the heat of the summer months?
