Once the temperatures outside begin to climb and Southwest Ohio’s humidity sets in, your home’s A/C system becomes one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home. Like any smart homeowner, you’re probably looking for the most productivity and efficiency out of your A/C in a way that will save you the most money.
Below, our NATE-certified technicians here at Blue Ash Furnace & Air Conditioning offer some suggestions that are designed to help you do just that:
Preventative Maintenance is Essential
Maintaining your air conditioning equipment in tip top condition is important. When it comes to how effectively your A/C works keeping your home cool this summer, preventative maintenance performed by an expert is key. They will keep the blades, coils and other components in your AC unit clean, which will help with energy efficiency and the longevity of your equipment. They work through a long list of tasks that help in other ways as well. Overall, this saves you time and money by keeping your equipment running at its best for longer while keeping your warranty active.
Replacing Air filters Often
One of the most important tasks of the air filter is to defend your A/C unit’s fans, coils and motors from dust, dirt and bacteria. If your unit’s air filter is clogged or dirty, it can cause the rest of your equipment to have to strive and work harder to keep your home feeling comfortable. Air filters should be checked every month and changed as often as necessary to keep your A/C unit running the most effectively this summer.
Keep Condenser Coils Clean
Your condenser Coils are essential in helping your A/C unit run properly and just like air filters, they need to be kept clean. An A/C condenser coil is a piece of hardware on the unit that gathers heat from the inside of the home and releases outside. If the condenser coils are dirty, it can cause blockage which can prevent heat from escaping to the outside thus causing inevitable trouble for your air conditioner. With proper preventative maintenance and an annual professional condenser coil cleaning, your home cooling system will have better chances at running more efficiently.
Properly Sealing Ductwork
When it comes to air duct systems, air leakage is far more common than homeowners suspect. Sealing ductwork is a process done to lock air leaks and prevent problems like poor indoor air quality, energy loss and other negative effects on a home cooling unit. Another simple and effective way to help prevent duct leakage and other ventilation difficulties is to make sure furniture or other objects are not closing off any vents.
Sealing Doors & Windows
Identifying air leakage and reducing its effects inside and outside of your home could enhance the performance of your air conditioning unit. Air leakages could possibly be the sources of poor indoor air quality and the reason why your AC unit is strained. By caulking the air leaks or updating your windows and doors, your AC unit could hugely benefit by putting in less work to keep your house at a colder temperature by keeping the cool air locked inside your home leaving the hot summer heat out.
Proper Levels of Insulation
Insulation does more than help keep your home warm during the winter. Proper insulation also keeps your home cool during the summer months when it’s hot and humid outside, making it beneficial year-round. Proper insulation is that extra barrier in your attic and walls that prevent outside temperatures from reaching the inside of your home or allowing the treated air to escape. As such, if your home feels drafty after sealing doors and windows, consider checking out the insulation in your home. With proper insulation, your AC unit will have to work a lot less harder to keep your house a lot cooler this summer.
Upgrading Your AC Unit
Is your air conditioning system older than 10 years or more?
If you can’t remember how old it is or don’t know, chances are good that you should probably consider upgrading your unit. Older or neglected units require a lot more energy to keep a dwelling cool. Although upgrading comes with a price, overall you will be saving your household more money and energy in the long run, not to mention comfort and peace of mind.
If you still need help with your AC unit, call Blue Ash Furnace & Air Conditioning today (513) 216-5664, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!