Every year when summer rolls around and temperatures rise, there tends to be an increase in HVAC issues. There are a variety of different ways that you can mitigate the types of problems that often arise by using HVAC best practices and adhering to a few key principles. The last thing you want to do is end up with a central air unit that doesn’t work when it’s hot outside and you’re indoors seeking refuge from the heat. Fortunately, you can beat the heat with these four tips.
1. Scheduling Preventive Maintenance
It’s easy to think that you don’t really need preventative maintenance when everything appears to be working fine and you haven’t had any problems in years. Ironically, it’s usually when you get comfortable and think everything is fine that your AC breaks down. If you’ve lived in the Kansas City area for any length of time, you know that summers can sometimes feel unbearable. By scheduling maintenance for at least once a year by an air conditioner Kansas City technician, you can make sure everything is in order by the time summer arrives.
It’s best to schedule preventive maintenance in advance and make sure it’s completed before the end of spring. The technician will conduct an inspection to ensure your cooling system is functioning. Since its service that’s scheduled annually, they will also check heating components, which means you’ll even be ready for the winter months. Another benefit of scheduling maintenance is that it’s cheaper than waiting until a problem arises to call for service.
2. Changing or Cleaning Filters
It’s normal for the filter in your HVAC system to get clogged with particles and dirt as time passes. As a result, it can cause the air conditioner to be less effective, which means it can become more difficult to cool your home. By either changing or cleaning your air filter, you can improve the efficiency of your air conditioner, which means you’ll end up spending less money on your energy bill, especially during the summer months. There are some filters that remain in the air conditioning unit, such as electrostatic filters. If that’s what you have, it should be cleaned regularly.
3. Ensuring the Drainage Line is Clear
Most, if not all, air conditioning units have a drainpipe that removes moisture. As a result, sometimes the drainpipe is blocked with particles that prevent it from handling the humidity in the air. Subsequently, on the days when the humidity is high, your air conditioner is less effective. It’s usually best to call a technician to deal with the problem because it can lead to the development of mildew. However, sometimes it’s possible to address the problem by accessing the drain line to clean it without too much difficulty. If you have preventative maintenance every year, this isn’t something that should become a problem because the drainage line will be cleared by the technician.
4. Installing a Smart Thermostat
Most modern homes have a smart thermostat that enables you to easily ascertain when there are issues with the unit. One of the primary benefits of a smart thermostat is that it automates the adjustment of room temperatures. This enables you to experience optimal comfort, while also saving energy. If you don’t already have a smart thermostat, you might consider having one installed so that you can enjoy the perfect temperature throughout the summer. Studies show that homeowners with a smart thermostat can save an average of 15 percent on their energy bills throughout the year. There are also systems that enable you to access your air conditioning system from a Smartphone or other mobile device. This means you can turn your system on or off when you’re away from home.
There are other ways to beat the heat in the summer. You can use ceiling fans in each room. This is actually another way to minimize the cost of cooling your home because ceiling fans circulate air and do a decent job at keeping your home cool. You can also seal cracks in windows or install windows that are energy efficient to make sure the cool air is not escaping through the windows. If you follow the four tips listed above, you’ll be in great shape this summer. Since most people look forward to summertime, you might as well maximize your enjoyment by ensuring your air conditioner is in great working condition.
