With summer finally upon us here in Ross County and temperatures outside becoming hot and humid, your home’s centralized A/C quickly becomes one of the most important pieces of equipment you own.
So it’s natural to want to get the most out of this system.
If you’re on a budget looking to save money while staying comfortable this summer, our home cooling technicians here at Chillicothe Heating & Cooling offer some suggestions on how you can get the most out of your A/C this summer:
Replace Your A/C Air Filters Regularly
We cannot overemphasize this suggestion, as it all too often gets neglected.
Of the most important jobs the air filter does is to defend your A/C unit’s fans, coils and motors from dust, dirt and bacteria. If your A/C’s air filter is clogged or dirty, it can cause your entire system to have to strive and work harder to keep your house feeling comfortable. Because airflow is so important, air filters should be checked every month and changed as often as necessary to keep your A/C unit running the way it’s meant to this summer.
Keeping A/C Condenser Coils Clean
Condenser Coils are essential in helping an air conditioning unit run and just like air filters, they need to be kept clean. An A/C condenser coil is a piece of hardware on the unit that gathers heat from the inside of the home and releases outside. If the condenser coils are dirty, it can cause blockage which can prevent heat from escaping to the outside thus causing inevitable trouble for your air conditioner. With proper preventative maintenance and an annual professional condenser coil cleaning, your home cooling system will have better chances at running more efficiently.
Never Neglect That A/C Tune-Up
Keeping your air conditioning system in tip top condition is essential. An A/C tune-up will do just that and more. When it comes to how effectively it works keeping your home cool this summer, proper maintenance is key. Keeping the blades, coils and other components in your AC unit clean will help with energy efficiency and the longevity of your equipment. Clogs and dirty equipment could up the AC units energy usage and will ensure a steady decline in your home cooling system’s performance.
Making Sure Ductwork is Sealed Properly
When it comes to ductwork, air leakage is far more common than homeowners suspect. Sealing ductwork is a process done to lock air leaks and prevent problems like poor indoor air quality, energy loss and other negative effects on a home cooling unit. Another simple and effective way to help prevent duct leakage and other ventilation difficulties is to make sure furniture or other objects are not closing off any vents.
Sealed Doors & Windows
Identifying air leakage and reducing its effects inside and outside of your home could enhance the performance of your air conditioning unit. Air leakages could possibly be the sources of poor indoor air quality and the reason why your AC unit is strained. By caulking the air leaks or updating your windows and doors, your AC unit could hugely benefit by putting in less work to keep your house at a colder temperature by keeping the cool air locked inside your home leaving the hot summer heat out.
Check Insulation Levels
Insulation does more than help keep your home warm during the winter. Proper insulation also keeps your home cool during the summer months when it’s hot and humid outside, making it beneficial year-round. Proper insulation is that extra barrier in your attic and walls that prevent outside temperatures from reaching the inside of your home or allowing the treated air to escape. As such, if your home feels drafty after sealing doors and windows, consider checking out the insulation in your home. With proper insulation, your AC unit will have to work a lot less harder to keep your house a lot cooler this summer.
Upgrading Your A/C Equipment
Is your air conditioning system older than 10 years or more?
If you can’t remember how old it is or don’t know, chances are good that you should probably consider upgrading your unit. Older or neglected units require a lot more energy to keep a dwelling cool. Although upgrading comes with a price, overall you will be saving your household more money and energy in the long run, not to mention comfort and peace of mind.
Still need help with your air conditioning system? Call Chillicothe Heating & Cooling today at (740) 281-2186, or click here to schedule an appointment now!