Stay Cool All Summer With These Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips

A technician performing air conditioner maintenance on an AC unit.

As the warm summer months approach, it’s crucial to ensure your air conditioning system is in top shape to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills in check. Proper air conditioner maintenance not only extends the lifespan of your unit but also improves its efficiency, resulting in lower utility costs and a more enjoyable living environment.

In this blog post, we’ll explore five maintenance tips to help you prepare your air conditioner for the upcoming season.

5 Maintenance Tips to Ready Your Air Conditioner for the Summer

Beat the heat this summer with these air conditioner maintenance tips:

A technician performing air conditioner maintenance on an AC unit.

1. Schedule Air Conditioner Maintenance Tune-ups

One of the most important aspects of air conditioner maintenance is scheduling annual tune-ups with a professional HVAC technician. During a maintenance visit, a technician’s job is to ensure your system is ready to operate efficiently throughout the season. At this appointment, a technician will go through a series of checks, inspections, and cleaning on your unit, including the following:

  • Clean the evaporator coil inside
  • Inspect the coil to ensure there are no leaks
  • Clean and inspect your circulating fan wheel
  • Lubricate the fan motor
  • Inspect and tighten the mounting bolts
  • Inspect your electrical wiring and connections
  • Clean and inspect the outside condenser
  • Check the refrigerant level in your system

Regular maintenance can catch potential problems early, preventing costly breakdowns and extending the life of your air conditioner.

2. Clean or Replace Filters Regularly

Clogged or dirty air filters can significantly reduce your air conditioner’s efficiency and strain the system, leading to higher energy bills and potential breakdowns. Make it a habit to clean or replace your filters every one to three months, or as recommended by the manufacturer. This simple task can make a noticeable difference in your unit’s performance and indoor air quality.

At Hometown Heating, Air & Electric, we sell a variety of filters. Please visit our online shop to check out the filter options we offer.

3. Seal Any Openings Around Your Home

Air leaks around windows, doors, and other openings in your home can cause your air conditioner to work harder than necessary, wasting energy and money. These gaps and cracks act as pathways for cool air to escape and hot air to enter, forcing your AC unit to run longer and work harder to maintain the desired temperature. This not only drives up your energy bills but also puts unnecessary strain on the system, potentially leading to premature wear and tear or even breakdowns.

Take the time to thoroughly inspect your home for any air leaks. Common culprits include gaps around window and door frames, electrical outlets, attic hatches, and any cracks or holes in walls, floors, or ceilings. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal these openings, effectively creating an airtight barrier that prevents air exchange between the inside and outside of your home. Cool air will stay where it belongs, inside your living spaces, while hot outdoor air will be kept at bay.

4. Utilize Your Thermostat Efficiently

Programming your thermostat properly can help you save energy and money while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature. Here are a few tips to ensure you get the most use out of your thermostat:

  • Set your thermostat a few degrees higher when you’re away from home or during sleeping hours.
  • Make sure your thermostat is located in a suitable area, away from direct sunlight or heat sources, to ensure accurate temperature readings.
  • Consider investing in a smart thermostat. Since they are electronic, programmable thermostats are more accurate and efficient than thermostats that contain mercury. With programmable thermostats, you can control the temperature in your home at different times of day without ever touching your thermostat.

And if you run into issues or inaccurate readings, Hometown Heating, Air & Electric is here to help! We can accurately troubleshoot any type of malfunction and can repair your thermostat if you run into issues.

5. Consider Upgrading to a New Unit

If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old or showing signs of frequent breakdowns, it may be time to consider upgrading to a new, energy-efficient model. Here are a few signs your AC may be due for replacement:

  • Does not maintain set temperature
  • Older than 10-15 years
  • Facing costly repairs
  • Increasing energy bills
  • Uneven cooling in different rooms

At Hometown Heating, Air & Electric, we can install upgraded systems, such as split air conditioning systems and Energy Star models.

By following these air conditioner maintenance tips, you can ensure your system is ready to keep you cool and comfortable throughout the summer months.

Contact us today to schedule your annual tune-up with Hometown Heating, Air & Electric today and enjoy a worry-free summer.

Common AC Problems in Summer

The heat has arrived, and you’re enjoying the cold comfort of your AC system. Suddenly, your unit stops working properly, and your indoor air begins to heat up. What’s causing the problem, and how do you get the issue fixed as quickly as possible?

Not every AC problem requires a professional’s skills and knowledge to get resolved. In fact, some air conditioning issues are easy for a homeowner to handle. Knowing how to respond to an AC issue quickly can mean a faster recovery. We’ve assembled a quick guide to outline what can happen and how to approach a repair.

Overall Cooling Is Deficient

There’s nothing worse than insufficient airflow on a hot day. When this problem crops up, your first task is to check for blocked vents. Move furniture, curtains, and other items away from vents. You’ll also need to check your outdoor compressor for debris that’s blocking the unit’s fan. If you still find your overall cooling experience lacking, request a system inspection from your local cooling company.

An inspection can tell you whether the unit you have is built to properly cool your floor plan. Replacing the unit with a larger capacity compressor could solve this issue. You can also choose to close vents and add portable air conditioners in important rooms. This isn’t an ideal way to solve the issue. However, it’s a good temporary solution until you have an updated air conditioner in place.

Air Flows Slowly From Vents

Check your air filter to take care of this issue. Dirty filters slow the airflow and can cause the system to struggle to operate. Regular filter replacement or cleaning is a necessary task for homeowners. Verify the state of your filters every three months or more often according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Pet owners will need to replace filters more often.

When you need an AC repair in Cedarburg, Hometown Heating & Air is ready to help. Our technicians deliver fast, accurate results on a wide range of air conditioning problems. Let us know how we can solve your summer AC issues for you.

AC Delivers Hot Air

If your AC is blowing hot or warm air, then it’s a pretty sure bet that the refrigerant levels are deficient. Either there’s a leak in the component housing the refrigerant or there never was enough refrigerant in the system. The refrigerant is placed inside the system during the manufacturing process. This substance is not a fuel, so it won’t dissipate or get used up. If adequate levels aren’t there to begin with, your equipment can’t produce enough cold air for you.

This is an issue that requires an expert’s skill because of the chemical makeup and pressurized state of the refrigerant. Refrigerant is dangerous when handled incorrectly. EPA-certified technicians know how to locate and fix leaks. They also can safely add more refrigerant for you or dispose of any refrigerant when necessary.

System Won’t Turn On

For an AC system that won’t turn on at all, check your breaker box. Power surges on hot days can cause a breaker to flip. In order to protect your cooling equipment, make sure that the AC is turned off before flipping the breaker back on. When this doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to test the thermostat.

To do this, set your AC system to the ON mode. Next, make adjustments to your thermostat. Wait for your system to respond to your new temperature settings. If it doesn’t respond as it normally would, the thermostat is faulty and should be replaced.

Compressor Won’t Turn Off

A compressor that won’t shut off or short cycles is signaling that your thermostat is malfunctioning. A broken thermostat can’t tell the system how to operate, and that can cause it to run continuously. Although a repair may be possible, replacing the thermostat is usually the least expensive way to address this issue. A licensed, insured technician can handle this update for you.

Hometown Heating & Air is the company locals depend on for complete air conditioning services in Cedarburg. Our customer-focused approach is supported by our A+ rating and accredited standing with the BBB. We repair, maintain, and install heating and cooling equipment for residential properties. You can lean on us for indoor air quality testing, humidity control, and duct cleaning and sealing services as well. Plus, we provide a 24/7 emergency repair response. Call us today to schedule an appointment.