It never fails. On the hottest day of the year, the air conditioner in your home is blowing out warm air or stops running altogether. Along with hundreds of other people in our city, you reach for 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 decrease the possibility of this happening to you this summer.
Maximize Air Flow
To work properly, your air conditioner needs to pull air through the system, including recirculating air inside your home. If this process is obstructed in any way, it can cause problems in your unit. To ensure your air conditioner has the air flow it needs, make sure to keep the area clear around the vents - indoors and outside. This includes cutting back vegetation and cleaning dirt away from vents.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Beyond helping reduce energy costs by regulating your home’s temperature, programmable thermostats can also help minimize impact on your system. Program your air conditioner for warmer temperatures when the home is empty or at night when it cools down outside.
In addition, program your thermostat for extended run-cycles. While this action won’t prevent problems, it can help reduce humidity in your San Antonio area home. This can give you a more comfortable environment, as well as keep mold spores from thriving in your home.
Watch Out for Those Pests
For some reason certain bugs and pests are attracted to air conditioning units, which can be damaging if they get inside the system. To keep ants and other pests away, use an eco-friendly pesticide around the base of the unit to keep them from “bugging” your air conditioner.
Stay Level
The majority of outdoor A/C units are placed on a concrete slab or other platform, giving them a level base of operation. However, just like a home’s foundation, your A/C’s platform can also sink or settle into the ground, impacting the performance of the air conditioner. Every now and then, look at your outdoor component to make sure that the base continues to stay level.
Naturally, regular maintenance, such as lubrication and filter changes, are also important to keep your air conditioner running smoothly. Make sure to schedule a check up before the summer starts to ensure your system is ready to face the hot days ahead. Following these suggestions, 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.