Keeping your home cool when the temperature goes past 90 degrees is important, and if you want to have an air conditioner that works reliably all summer long, there are some things you should do right now to improve the chances that your system won’t cause you problems later. Here are some tips for getting your air conditioner ready for the hot weather in Cedarburg, WI.
Clean the Filter
There’s a filter on your air conditioner that removes contaminants and particulates from the air. It prevents your air conditioner from overworking, and it preserves the quality of the air you and your family breathe. Ideally, you should be cleaning or replacing this filter every couple of months when the unit is in operation. Taking care of this now is a good place to begin.
Clean the Indoor Unit
Air conditioning systems have both an indoor and an outdoor component to them, and making sure that the indoor part is clean is important to both the health of your AC system and the overall health of your family. There can be a buildup of dust and other debris in various parts of the equipment. The first thing you should do when you’re trying to get your air conditioner ready for the summer is to take the time to clean the indoor unit.
Always start by turning off the power to the air conditioner at the electrical box. This is vital for your own protection. You should remove the cover of the evaporator coil and dust it off with a soft cloth. Use a vacuum cleaner if necessary.
Mold can build up in the unit, which can be bad for your health. You can prevent this in the drip pan by using a solution of bleach and water to clean it before replacing it under the condenser coil.
Finally, if there’s a clog in the drain, you’ll want to clear it so that the system continues to take humidity out of the air properly. If water is slow going down the line, you can go to the place where everything empties out. Take a wet/dry vac and suck everything out for a couple of minutes. Make sure that you have a tight seal so that you’re removing the clog.
Clean the Outside Unit
When it’s time to clean the outside unit, you’ll need to remove the grate, which will probably require that you take off a few screws. If you didn’t have a cover on the equipment, you’ll likely find some dirt, twigs and leaves inside it. You can easily get rid of this debris by removing all of the big pieces first and using a vacuum to suck out the rest.
You’ll want to clean the condenser coil, and you can find a cleaner designed for this task at a home improvement store. Follow the directions on the bottle. After applying it and waiting a few minutes, use a hose to spray it away along with any remaining debris. Finally, you should make sure that all of the fins are straight because bent fins can really hamper the efficiency of your unit.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
If you have an older, very basic thermostat, you should upgrade to an energy-efficient programmable model. This simple change can save you hundreds of dollars throughout the course of the summer. This type of thermostat will let you set your ideal temperature for when you’re at home and automatically adjust it for when you’re not. You can also make adjustments using an app on your cell phone. If you’ll be coming home an hour early one night, you can remotely adjust your system to start cooling your house sooner than it normally would.
Check the Ductwork
Another energy-saving tip is to check the ductwork for leaks. Even a seemingly small leak means that cool air isn’t reaching the areas of the house where you actually intend it to go. You can use duct tape, mesh and duct mastic to repair the crack or hole in the ductwork.
Implementing these tips can give you peace of mind and save you money throughout the summer. Because your system will be running more effectively, you can feel more confident that it will make it through the season without a hitch. If you’d like more information on this topic or you require any assistance, take advantage of the many services that Hometown Heating and Air offers to residents of Cedarburg. We provide heating, cooling and indoor air quality installation, maintenance and repair. Call us today.
