Interior Fun

4 Tips to Keep Your AC Running Well All Summer Long

An air conditioner (AC) is a device that cools and takes moisture from the air in a room or building. It’s ideal for places that experience a sudden increase in temperature. However, keeping it up and running can be challenging. It may run while requiring more electricity or become unusable due to overheating.

4 Tips To Keep Your AC Running Well All Summer Long

To avoid this, you must prepare your unit and ensure it works perfectly during hot days. This article shares how to keep your AC running well all summer long.

Do A Regular Maintenance

Think of your AC as a vehicle. Like a car, it requires regular maintenance. Maintenance is an essential tip to keep your AC working more efficiently.

A thorough inspection is necessary to determine if all parts are working correctly. You can ask for help from an AC technician so they can assist you in fixing minor issues once they’re identified.

Additionally, it’s crucial to have your unit serviced every year. It’ll help if you look for a reliable and licensed HVAC service provider, like DM Select Services.

Keep Your AC Unit Clean

Cleaning your unit is also important. A buildup of dust and debris will make your unit work harder. This can result in wasted energy and increased electricity costs.

To make your AC work well, clean the vents and change the filter. You can change your filter once a year or every three months. Ensure that you get the right size for your AC unit. If you want to save money, you can choose a reusable filter.

Here’s how to change an AC filter:

Turn Off Your AC

You can turn off your AC by switching off the thermostat. You can also turn off the unit through the breaker box or shut-off switch. To ensure safety, it’s also better to unplug it while changing the air filter.

Look For The Air Filter Housing Unit

When you’re looking for the air filter housing unit, you must check the manual. The manual can provide information about where it’s located. Most air filters are located in the blower compartment or built into the metal ductwork.

After you find the air filter housing unit, decide whether you need to buy new filters or clean and reuse them instead. As mentioned, some filters are reusable. You only have to rinse them in the sink. However, if you’ve been using a fiberglass filter, it may be time to buy a new filter at the hardware.

It would be best to replace fiberglass more often because it has a small surface area that can’t hold as many particles, unlike pleated air filters. Moreover, the materials used to make fiberglass filters are not recyclable or biodegradable.

Determine The Size Of The Unit’s Air Filter

Determining the size of the unit’s air filter is crucial to ensure the health of the AC. If your air filter fits your unit correctly, you’re assured that the AC will work. Remember that smaller filters allow dust and debris to enter, which can build up over time. In contrast, large air filters won’t fit in the slot.

Check the manual first because it can indicate the dimensions of the air filter. But if you find no luck, get a measuring device such as a tape or ruler and start measuring the dimensions, including the height, width, and thickness.

Replace The Old Air Filter And Install The New One

Remove the old air filter by sliding it out of the slot. Dispose of it properly by putting it inside a plastic bag and throwing it in the trash. After this, you may get back to installing the new air filter.

Ensure the arrow on the filter’s frame points away from the return and toward the air handler. After inserting the new air filter, plug the unit back in and turn it on. Remember to keep wearing your masks and gloves while doing all of these.

Also, you must clean the external surfaces of the unit. You can hire an expert to do it or do it yourself. For your safety, choose the former. If you prefer the latter, follow the manual on how to clean the unit. Also, use the manufacturer’s recommended AC cleaner and a hose.

Inspect your unit and ensure no debris or dirt is stuck on it. Use a hose or brush to clean your unit when necessary. With enough cleaning, your system will be dirt- and debris-free. Don’t forget to keep any obstructions away from the unit.

Check And Upgrade Your Thermostat

The thermostat works to maintain the temperature inside a space. So, always check your thermostat whenever you regularly maintain your AC.

If you have an old thermostat, consider a programmable digital upgrade. Choose a model that you can control using a mobile device. That way, you can remotely change the temperature inside your home.

You can keep the temperature low if you go out for a walk or run personal errands. Once you get back, set it to a high temperature. It’s recommended to keep the temperature change to a maximum of 4 to 5 degrees in a day.

Also, avoid lowering the temperature, especially if you’re using a programmable thermostat. According to the US Department of Energy, you can save at least 10% on your cooling costs if you keep the temperature high. You can do this by setting your thermostat to 7 to 10 degrees higher than your usual temperature for 8 hours daily.

Weatherize Your Home

Weatherizing your home starts with closing your doors and windows. You must ensure that all of the windows and doors are correctly latched. If you tend to have broken windows, start replacing them.

Always check for leaks because they’ll affect your AC unit’s efficiency. Also, do some weather stripping and insulation. If weather strippers are worn out, install new ones. You can have another layer of protection by adding attic insulation.

Add extra protection from the sun. To do this, you can use window coverings and shades to prevent the heat from entering your home. Window tints are perfect for blocking heat and light. Also, consider the use of blinds, sheers, and drapery.

Install compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). You’ll likely use less energy using these.

Another step to take is to maintain your ceiling and floor fans. These circulate and add extra movement to the air, maintaining the cold temperature. Lastly, consider sealing your switches and outlets. That way, you can decrease energy waste.

Conclusion

Summertime is fast approaching. Despite the heat, you can still enjoy this season with an AC unit. Follow the abovementioned tips to keep your AC running well.

And with that, we officially end this blog post. But before you go, can you do us a solid and spread the love (or laughter) by sharing this on your social media? Who knows, maybe we might even find someone who can relate to our content and benefit from it... Wink