It never fails. Grand Island is experiencing record heat and the air conditioner in your home starts blowing out warm air or stops working entirely. Along with hundreds of other people in our city, you pick up the phone to call your HVAC specialist, and wait out the heat until relief arrives. While some A/C issues absolutely require a professional to service them, here are a few tips that can be used to reduce the likeliness of this happening to you this summer.
Ensure Maximum Air Flow
For the A/C system to work correctly, you need to ensure the air is pulling through properly, including recirculating air from within your home. If this process is obstructed in any way, it can result in trouble and repair costs. To assure you have the manufacturer suggested air flow, make sure to keep space around the vents - indoors and outside. This includes trimming back vegetation and cleaning dirt away from vents.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Controlling the consumption of your indoor energy use is simple with a programmable thermostat. Adjust the temperature of your home to run less when you are at work or school, and automatically increase to a desired temperature when you are actually in the home.
Also, program your thermostat for lengthier run-cycles. While this action won’t prevent problems, it can help bring down the humidity in your Grand Island area home. This can offer a more comfortable environment, plus keep mold spores from developing in your home.
Get Rid of Any Pests
For some reason certain bugs and pests are attracted to air conditioning units, which can be detrimental if they get inside the system. To keep ants and other pests away, use an eco-friendly pesticide around the base of the unit with a reasonably wide perimeter of 24 – 36 inches.
Stay Level
Most outdoor A/C units are situated on a concrete slab or other platform, giving them a level base of operation. However, over time these can settle or sag, impacting the performance of the air conditioner. Keep an eye on your outdoor component to confirm that the base continues to stay level.
Of course, regular maintenance, such as lubrication and filter changes, are very important to keep your air conditioner functioning well. Make sure to schedule a check up before the summer starts to ensure your system is ready to face the hot days ahead. By following these simple tips, you may be able to decrease the chance of several common A/C problems and have a stress-free and climate controlled home all summer.