Everyone seems to love summer. It is that period of the year when the atmosphere is buzzing with joy and celebratory moods. Besides, the winter months are gone, and it’s time to spend the days by the pool.
However, it’s that time of the year again when your cooling unit becomes functional. You’ll need your air conditioner to live comfortably in your house. This means that the air conditioning unit will run round the clock.
Although this is necessary, it is evident that your energy bills will go through the roof. If your cooling unit is not working correctly, you could end up paying 30% more on energy bills. How about you incorporate these air conditioner maintenance tips for the summer months and cut your energy expenses?
Change the Filters
Among the many maintenance tips, changing the filters is the easiest form of cooling unit preparation. It is supposed to be done after every two months to keep your system operating efficiently. Unfortunately, most families don’t do it often.
This leads to a situation where filters are blocked. With filters blocked, your cooling unit will struggle to pump cool air into the room. Due to the strain your system is experiencing, you could pay more on energy bills.
You can get away with old cooling filters in the winter months. However, during summer, you better replace such filters or drain your savings on cooling expenses.
Clean the Condensation Lines
Condensation lines help in carrying condensation away from your air conditioner. They can quickly get clogged, which means that condensation will back up into the system. This can easily hinder the functioning of your HVAC unit.
The problem with a clogged condensation line is that it can lead to some mess in your house. If you allow this to happen, you will end up with a huge repair bill. Locate where there are some noticeable clogs and clean them out.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Updating your cooling system should be done regularly. It not only enhances the performance of your unit, but helps in saving energy. A good place to start is by having a programmable thermostat.
The primary purpose of a programmable thermostat is to help reduce your conditioning times. If you’re away, your cooling system does not need to work. However, when you are on your way home, you can start your air conditioner remotely or through the programmed schedule.
Clean the Coils
You’ve probably been paying too much attention to the interior of your AC. What you don’t know is that your exterior parts also need some checking. During winter, they collect mud, debris, and dust.
That entire gunk clogs your entire unit. Your system will run sluggishly. In extreme situations, it will not even work.
Disconnect the electric supply and spray your unit with a garden hose. This will deliver a clean system ready to work. For heavily soiled ACs, consider buying commercial cleaners.
Clean the Fins
Fins also accumulate dust and other debris from outside. Cleaning them will enhance the performance of the entire unit. Remember, these are delicate parts that need attention when cleaning.
As such, you must use soft clothing or a toothbrush to clean them. Make sure you gently run the brush across each fin and remove all the debris. Pay critical attention to each fin to avoid bending them.
Check Ductwork for Leaks
When your ductworks are leaking, your system is losing its efficiency and effectiveness. As highlighted above, the efficiency of your cooler should be a priority this summer. That is why anything that affects efficiency should be addressed.
Recent research from the University of Florida indicates that leaking ductworks makes your cooler work much harder. The findings recorded that your HVAC will be working 50% harder when leaking. This means that your energy costs will also increase by 50%.
Small holes, separated pieces, and disconnected joints are possible leaking areas. Tighten all the disconnected joints. Also, you need to seal some separated pieces and the small holes in your system.
Clean Around the Unit
As highlighted earlier, there is a tendency to take care of the internal parts of the system. This means that the external parts and the surrounding environment are neglected. For comprehensive system prep, heating and air conditioning service should be comprehensive.
The outside environment around your cooling system plays a vital role in its overall performance. The presence of twigs, branches, long grass, and leaves will hinder the functioning of your unit. Cut everything around your HVAC and keep your units open for a free supply of air.
Quiet a Noisy Unit
Generally, cooling systems are very quiet. However, if you have a noisy system, the compressor could be the issue. Make sure you tighten the loose nuts to prevent such noises.
In extreme cases, you can always replace a noisy compressor. But, before you do that, make sure you contact your manufacturer. They will recommend the best compressor for replacement purposes.
Also, cooling unit repair is a sensitive task. Professionals better handle it. That is why you should contact a cooling technician for such services.
Check the Concrete Slab
If your cooling system is clean and the environment around it is cleared, it’s good to check the concrete below. Due to the water around, the concrete could have already sunk on one side. You need to make sure it is level to prevent toppling.
Also, if the unit is not balanced, there is a chance that it will work much harder. This will increase your cooling expenses, which you’re trying to avoid. You can easily level the concrete by adding gravel underneath the concrete.
Is Your Cooling Unit Ready for the Hot Summer?
Your air conditioner could have been your least of concerns in the upcoming months. However, in as much as you’re missing the hot environment, there is no doubt that you deserve a comfortable environment. You’ll only realize this by following the cooling unit preparation strategies discussed above.
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