It never fails. On the hottest day of the year, the air conditioner in your home begins blowing out warm air or stops operating entirely. Along with hundreds of other people in our community, you grab the phone to call your HVAC specialist, and wait out the heat until relief arrives. While not all A/C problems can be prevented, here are a few tips that can be used to reduce the chance of this happening to you this summer.
Maximize Air Flow
A properly operating central air system must be able to pull the air through the unit, including recirculating air inside your home. If Air blockage or obstruction of any kind can cause problems in your unit. 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.
Another tip is to program your thermostat for extended run-cycles. We are not suggesting that this will prevent problems, it can help reduce humidity in your Birmingham area home. This can give you a more comfortable environment, in addition to keep mold spores from developing in your home.
Watch Out for Those Pests
For some reason certain bugs and pests are attracted to air conditioning units, which can be harmful 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 are situated on a concrete slab or other platform, allowing them a level base of operation. However, the weight of the unit and ground moisture can cause your unit’s platform to sag or sink, hindering the performance of the air conditioner. Keep an eye on your outdoor component to confirm that the base continues to stay level.
Naturally, regular maintenance, such as lubrication and filter changes, are very important to keep your air conditioner running smoothly. Call 205-267-0023 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 minimize A/C problems and have a stress-free and climate controlled home all summer.