Does this sound familiar?. Charleston is experiencing record heat and the air conditioner in your home begins blowing out warm air or stops operating altogether. Along with hundreds of other people in our city, you pick up the phone to call your HVAC specialist, as you and your family brave the heat. Although some A/C problems will require a professional technician, here are a few tips that can be used to decrease the chance of this happening to you this summer.
Ensure Maximum Air Flow
To work properly, your air conditioner needs to pull air through the system, including recirculating air from within your home. If the air flow is blocked in any way, it can end up translating to money out of pocket for you. To guarantee great air flow, make sure to keep clear the immediate area around the vents - indoors and outside. This includes scaling back vegetation and cleaning dirt away from vents.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Beyond helping reduce energy costs by regulating your home’s temperature, programmable thermostats can also help minimize impact on your system. Adjust the temperature of your home to run less when you are at work or school, and automatically increase to a desired temperature when you are actually in the home.
In addition, program your thermostat for extended run-cycles. While this does not necessary prevent problems, it can help lower humidity in your Charleston area home. This can provide a more comfortable environment, as well as keep mold spores from growing in your home.
Get Rid of Any Pests
For some reason certain bugs and pests are attracted to air conditioning units, which can be detrimental if they get inside the system. To keep ants and other pests away, use an eco-friendly pesticide around the exterior of the unit with a reasonably wide perimeter of 24 – 36 inches.
Stay Level
Most outdoor A/C units rest on a concrete slab or other platform, giving them a level base of operation. However, just like a home’s foundation, your A/C’s platform can also sink or settle into the ground, hindering the performance of the air conditioner. Check on your outdoor component to confirm that the base continues to stay level.
Of course, regular maintenance, such as lubrication and filter changes, are very important to keep your air conditioner functioning well. Call 843-410-6103 to schedule system maintenance review before the summer starts to ensure your system is ready to face the hot days ahead. Keeping these tips in mind, you may be able to decrease the chance of several common A/C problems and have a stress-free and climate controlled home all summer.