Does this sound familiar?. A heat wave is covering the Philadelphia area and the air conditioner in your home is blowing out warm air or stops running altogether. Along with hundreds of other people in our community, 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 likeliness of this happening to you this summer.
Max-Out the Air Flow
For the A/C system to work correctly, you need to ensure the air is pulling through properly, including recirculating air inside your home. If this process is obstructed in any way, it can end up translating to money out of pocket for you. To ensure your air conditioner has the air flow it needs, make sure to keep clear the immediate area around the vents - indoors and outside. This includes scaling back vegetation and cleaning dirt away from vents.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is an easy addition to help lower your energy expenses and control the temperature of your Philadelphia area home. 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 longer run-cycles. We are not suggesting that this will prevent problems, it can help lower humidity in your Philadelphia area home. This can provide a more comfortable environment, in addition to keep mold spores from thriving in your home.
Get Rid of Any Pests
Some bugs and pests are attracted to central air 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 foundation of the unit and check on it regularly throughout the summer.
Stay Level
Most outdoor A/C units are placed on a concrete slab or other platform, permitting them a level base of operation. However, over time these can settle or sag, impacting the performance of the air conditioner. Every now and then, look at your outdoor component to ensure that the base continues to stay level.
Naturally, regular maintenance, such as lubrication and filter changes, are pretty important to keep your air conditioner operating as it should. Make sure to schedule system maintenance review 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.