It never fails. A heat wave is covering the Mobile area and the air conditioner in your home begins blowing out warm air or stops working altogether. Along with hundreds of other people in our community, you reach for the phone to call your HVAC specialist, and suffer with the heat until they arrive. While some A/C issues absolutely require a professional to service them, here are a few tips that can be used to reduce the likeliness of this happening to you this summer.
Max-Out the Air Flow
A properly operating central air system must be able to pull the air through the unit, including recirculating air throughout the rooms of your home. If Air blockage or obstruction of any kind can cause problems in your unit. To ensure your air conditioner has the air flow it needs, make sure to keep the area clear around the vents - indoors and outside. This includes scaling back vegetation and cleaning dirt away from vents.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Controlling the consumption of your indoor energy use is simple with a programmable thermostat. Set your thermostat to be on only when you are actually in your home.
Also, program your thermostat for extended run-cycles. While this does not necessary prevent problems, it can help reduce humidity in your Mobile area home. This can provide a more comfortable environment, in addition to keep mold spores from growing in your home.
Keep Pests at Bay
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 rest on a concrete slab or other platform, giving 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, impacting the performance of the air conditioner. Every now and then, look at your outdoor component to make sure that the base continues to stay level.
Naturally, regular maintenance, such as lubrication and filter changes, are also important to keep your air conditioner running smoothly. Call to schedule a check up before the summer starts to ensure your system is ready to face the hot days ahead. By following these simple tips, 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.