3 AC Mistakes To Avoid This Summer

Posted on: 1 July 2019

The summer is a key time for running your air conditioning. Not only does it remove warm air, but the air conditioning system also removes humidity, ensuring your home is not only comfortable, but also free of moisture. Unfortunately, you may not be running and maintaining your AC system in the most efficient manner possible. This guide will teach you a few mistakes to avoid when cooling your home this summer.

Not Changing Your Filters

Filters are designed to trap dirt, dust, and other debris, reducing the number of allergens that flow from outside into your home's indoor air. This protects your air quality, maintaining a healthy, allergy-free environment. Over time, however, dirt and dust will build up in the filters, becoming a problem for your health and your system's efficiency.

Depending on the type of filter you use, you should check it occasionally, especially through the summer season. If reusable, remove the filter and wash it according to the directions. If disposable, replace the filter.

On average, you should replace your AC filter every 3 weeks, when running your air conditioning frequently. With a clean filter, air will flow efficiently into your home without any worry of allergens.

Running the AC Constantly

It is perfectly acceptable to run your air conditioning frequently, especially when temperatures are so hot outside. However, running your AC constantly could be placing unnecessary stress on your system and wasting energy, which can be costly.

Invest in a programmable thermostat that will help your system maintain the right temperature without having to constantly run your system. A programmable thermostat allows you to cool and condition your home using less effort and less energy, which reduces stress on your system, while saving you some money on energy bills.

Forgetting the Outdoor Unit

Another common mistake people make is completely forgetting about their outdoor unit(s.) Because they are outdoors and out of sight, it is easy to see why the outdoor units would be forgotten.

Over time, however, dirt, grass clippings, pine straw, mulch, trash, and even pests can become trapped in the outdoor unit. This can block the flow of air in and out of the unit, preventing the system from cooling and conditioning your home properly.

Be sure to regularly check the outdoor units for signs of debris stuck inside. Cleaning out the unit's exterior is a key part of your AC system's maintenance.

For help maintaining your AC system, contact residential HVAC services.

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Summer is Upon Us – Is Your AC Working?

Hi. My name is Laurie Waters. The HVAC contractor was just out at our house last week and did I ever get a lesson from him. You see, we had a warm spell hit and I went to turn our air conditioning on for the first time since last summer. Much to my dismay, it wasn’t working. All I got was a blast of warm air. The fan was bringing the outdoor heat inside. Thank goodness it wasn’t anything major. My unit needed Freon. While he was here, the contractor taught me how to do some routine maintenance around my unit, vents, and filters. I’m going to share this information with you. I hope you find it to be useful.

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