How can I keep my Air Conditioner running well all year long?

Keeping your family cool in the summer and warm in the winter is important and it is imperative that you do everything you can to make sure your air conditioner is running smoothly all year long. Use these 5 tips to keep your AC running efficiently now and to avoid costly air conditioning repair in the future!

1-Change your Filter

Be sure to change the filter in your air conditioner once every couple of months to avoid dust and dirt build up. This build up will force your system to work harder to cool your house; it will also use up more energy, which will ultimately cost you more money on your monthly utility bills.

2-Insulate your Homes Ducts

If your ducts aren’t properly sealed, all of that cold hair that your air conditioner is working so hard to produce will be easily escaping your house and once again, your system will have to work much harder to keep it cool. Give your AC a break and seal up those ducts! This will cut down on your energy bills and take that extra load off you system.

3-Keep your AC Clear and Shaded

The big unit on the outside of your house is called the condenser. You’ll want to keep the area around the condenser clear of grass, bushes, leaves and just about everything else so that the fan gets the maximum amount of air that it can. Also if you keep the condenser cool and shaded, the system will not have to work as hard to cool the coils inside. According to the U.S. Department of Energy this one action could save you up to 10% on your cooling bill!

4-Keep the Temperature Consistent

When you are constantly turning your air conditioner on and off you run the risk of burning out your interior switches and possible even messing up your thermostat. The best solution to this problem is investing in a programmable thermostat. That way you can set the temperature to be a little warmer during the week when no one is home and cooler during the morning and evening hours.

5-Get a Clean and Check

Before the summer is here in full force, it is very important to have Shurtemp’s certified technicians come to your home and clean out your air conditioner along with check it for any small problems. Catching a small problem now could save you big money from repairing a big problem later on.

Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

It is important to have regular preventative maintenance performed on your AC unit. Some of this you can complete yourself. Dust is the biggest enemy of any air conditioning system. Where this collects the most is on the outdoors unit. This unit has condenser coils that easily collect the dust. It is wise to hose these coils off two or three times per summer. You will be surprised how much dirt you wash out when using a pressure hose to clean these coils. This simple operation by itself will save you service calls.

Another important thing to check for is a clogged condensation drain. These clogs are usually caused from bacteria that grows in the water. Check for proper draining of water when the AC is running. Check around the drain pan on the furnace. If water visibly pools at the base, you definitely have a plugged drain. It is a good idea to also have your system serviced annually. Have a professional come to your residence and do a complete check. Air conditioning preventative maintenance will pay for itself in the long run.

This air conditioning maintenance checklist can save not only money, but a breakdown during a hot summer day. Make sure your AC system is running optimally, especially then it is extremely hot.