4 Ways to Get Ready for Air Conditioning Season
Summer might seem like it’s a long time off away. But before you know it, you’ll be switching from heating to cooling. Soon enough your air conditioner is cooling frequently to maintain comfy temperatures. It’s smart to prep for the additional usage before temperatures heat up.
Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing and our team of Experts can provide support. We’ve created our all-inclusive air conditioning memberships to boost your system’s energy efficiency and dependability. Our professional expertise goes a long way, but there are many other steps you can take to protect your air conditioner. Here are four of the top ways you can prepare for air conditioning season.
1. Clean Your Air Conditioner
Don’t fret, you won’t have to disassemble your system and clean every component. Our Experts do this during your annual air conditioning maintenance appointment.
But cleaning the area around your air conditioner will go a long way also. We recommend:
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- Getting rid of twigs, leaves and grass clippings from the outside of your air conditioner.
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- Keeping neighboring grass and plants clipped back.
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- Maintaining no less than 1 foot of open area on all sides around your air conditioner.
If your air conditioner’s fins get blocked by dirt or yard refuse, this can impact performance and comfort. Your air conditioner will have to run more often to give the same level of comfort. In extreme cases, it may stop cooling altogether and need air conditioning repair.
Your comfort and satisfaction matter to us, so we prefer minimizing the likelihood of repairs in the first place. A clean air conditioner generally operates more efficiently, is less likely to need repairs and often lasts longer.
2. Replace Your Air Filter
Regularly replacing your air filter is crucial for your air conditioner’s wellness. During a maintenance visit, our specialists inspect filters and install new ones if necessary. Putting in a new filter is quick and simple. You can (and should) do it on your own when possible!
How regularly you need to get a new filter depends on:
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- The kind of filter you use.
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- If someone in your house has asthma, allergies or other respiratory issues.
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- If you have pets.
Basic flat filters usually last for 30–60 days. Thicker pleated filters can last up to 90 days. If you don’t know if your filter should be replaced, pull it out, and tilt it toward the light. Replace it if you can’t see light through it.
Filters trap dust, pollen and other pollutants from your home’s air, keeping airflow clean. Forgetting about it will decrease your home’s indoor air quality and your air conditioner’s efficiency.
In some situations a dirty filter could even damage your system or cause it to stop working. Regularly replacing it will keep the inside of your air conditioner cleaner and airflow more consistent.
If someone in your household has allergies, asthma or other respiratory issues, ask our Experts about how a HEPA filter can help.
3. Check Your Thermostat and Smoke Detectors
Now is the perfect time to examine other important pieces of your air conditioner and other safety systems.
If you have a programmable thermostat, check that it’s operating right. If the batteries are running out, change them.
For additional control and convenience, consider upgrading to a smart thermostat. They make saving energy much more convenient. And a few models can even tell you if there’s a problem with your air conditioner or if your air filter needs replacing.
Even though they’re not part of your air conditioning system, now is an excellent time to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Confirming they still have juice offers peace of mind and an added layer of safety.
4. Keep Heat Where it Belongs
One of the best ways to increase energy-efficient cooling is to minimize the amount of outdoor heat coming into your home. Using premium window treatments such as blackout curtains, honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, can keep the sun from influencing interior temperatures.
Here are a couple other ways to keep your home cool without turning down the thermostat:
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- Turn on ceiling fans when you’re in the room.
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- Run your bathroom fan to get rid of heat and humidity when you shower.
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- Keep air vents uncovered to ensure proper airflow.
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- Add caulk and weatherstripping to seal your doors and windows.
Rely on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for Professional Air Conditioning Maintenance
Our list will help your air conditioner operate more efficiently this summer. But the wisest way you can improve efficiency is with air conditioning maintenance. Some pluses of this service involve:
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- Stress-free cooling.
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- Potentially reduced cooling costs.
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- Potentially lengthening your air conditioner’s lifetime.
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- Keeping your valuable manufacturer’s warranty intact.
Make sure your air conditioning is prepped for this summer! Contact the heating and cooling Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today! Contact us at 866-397-3787 to book your maintenance appointment or to learn more about our HVAC membership plans.