You’ve probably experienced this one. A heat wave is covering the Wheeling area and the air conditioner in your home starts blowing out warm air or stops running entirely. Along with hundreds of other people in our city, you grab the phone to call your HVAC specialist, and wait out the heat until relief arrives. While not all A/C problems can be prevented, here are a few tips that can be used to lower the possibility of this happening to you this summer.
Ensure Maximum Air Flow
To work properly, your air conditioner needs to pull air through the system, including recirculating air from within your home. If this process is obstructed in any way, it can end up translating to money out of pocket for you. To assure you have the manufacturer suggested air flow, make sure to keep space around the vents - indoors and outside. This includes scaling 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. Set your thermostat to be on only when you are actually in your home.
Another tip is to program your thermostat for extended run-cycles. While this action won’t prevent problems, it can help reduce humidity in your Wheeling area home. This can provide a more comfortable environment, as well as keep mold spores from thriving in your home.
Get Rid of Any 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
Most outdoor A/C units rest on a concrete slab or other platform, permitting 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, hindering the performance of the air conditioner. Check on your outdoor component to ensure that the base continues to stay level.
Naturally, 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. Following these suggestions, you may be able to avoid A/C problems and have a stress-free and climate controlled home all summer.