Summer might seem like it’s a long time off away. But before you realize, you’ll be moving from heating to cooling. Soon enough your air conditioner is running frequently to maintain comfortable temperatures. It’s wise to be ready for the extra usage before temperatures get warmer.
Finch Air Conditioning & Heating and our team of Experts can provide support. We’ve designed our comprehensive air conditioning memberships to maximize your system’s energy efficiency and dependability. Our professional experience goes a long way, but there are a lot of other things you can do to protect your air conditioner. Here are four of the greatest ways you can prep for air conditioning season.
1. Clean Your Air Conditioner
Don’t be concerned, you won’t have to disassemble your system and clean every component. Our Experts take care of this during your routine air conditioning maintenance appointment.
But cleaning the area around your air conditioner will go a long way as well. We recommend:
- Removing twigs, leaves and grass clippings from the outside of your air conditioner.
- Keeping neighboring grass and plants trimmed back.
- Maintaining no less than 1 foot of clear space on all sides around your air conditioner.
If your air conditioner’s fins get clogged with dirt or yard refuse, this can influence performance and comfort. Your air conditioner will have to work harder to give the same level of comfort. In bad cases, it might stop working altogether and need air conditioning repair.
Your comfort and satisfaction are our priority, so we prefer minimizing the likelihood of repairs in the first place. A regularly serviced air conditioner typically operates more efficiently, is less likely to malfunction and usually lasts longer.
2. Change Your Air Filter
Frequently replacing your air filter is critical for your air conditioner’s well-being. During a maintenance visit, our specialists examine filters and install new ones if needed. Installing a new filter is speedy and easy. You can (and should) do it on your own whenever!
How regularly you need to get a new filter depends on:
- The style of filter you use.
- If someone in your house has asthma, allergies or other respiratory problems.
- If you have pets.
Basic flat filters normally last for 30–60 days. Thicker pleated filters can last up to 90 days. If you’re unsure if your filter requires replacement, pull it out, and tilt it toward the light. Put in a new one if you can’t see light through it.
Filters trap dust, pollen and other particles from your house’s air, keeping airflow clean. Disregarding it will impact 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 malfunction. Frequently replacing it will keep the inside of your air conditioner cleaner and airflow more balanced.
If someone in your family suffers from allergies, asthma or other respiratory issues, check with our Experts about how a HEPA filter can relieve symptoms.
3. Check Your Thermostat and Smoke Detectors
Now is the perfect time to test other critical pieces of your air conditioner and other safety systems.
If you rely on a programmable thermostat, make sure that it’s working right. If the batteries are getting low, get new ones.
For extra control and convenience, think about installing a smart thermostat. They make using less energy simpler. And a few models can even tell you if there’s an issue 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 additional layer of safety.
4. Keep Heat Outdoors
One of the wisest ways to increase energy-efficient cooling is to reduce the concentration of exterior heat getting into your house. Using quality window treatments like blackout curtains, honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, can keep the sun from affecting indoor temperatures.
Here are a couple other approaches to keep your residence cold without adjusting the thermostat:
- Use ceiling fans when you’re in the room.
- Run your bathroom fan to eliminate heat and humidity when you shower.
- Keep air vents uncovered to ensure adequate airflow.
- Add caulk and weatherstripping to seal your doors and windows.
Rely on Finch Air Conditioning & Heating for Skilled Air Conditioning Maintenance
Our list will help your air conditioner operate more efficiently this summer. But the wisest way you can boost efficiency is with air conditioning maintenance. Some pluses of this service include:
- Worry-free cooling.
- Potentially reduced cooling expenses.
- Likely increasing your air conditioner’s life expectancy.
- Keeping your valuable manufacturer’s warranty ongoing.
Make sure your air conditioning is ready for this summer! Get in touch with the heating and cooling Experts at Finch Air Conditioning & Heating today! Call us at 281-407-9478 to request your maintenance appointment or to learn more about our HVAC membership plans.