Keep It Chill This Summer

Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips For a Cooler Summer

Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean homeowners have to sit and take the heat all summer. It doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice spending more on their energy bills either! That’s right. Homeowners can stay cool all summer long without necessarily increasing energy costs. One of the biggest secrets to accomplishing this feat is keeping up with regular AC maintenance. That is professional and daily maintenance.

There are different maintenance tips that homeowners should know about. There are also energy-saving habits that homeowners can adopt to help keep those energy costs to a minimum all summer. Professionals have all the answers below, whether it’s maintenance, AC replacement, or tips for adopting new habits. 

Continue reading to learn more! 

How To Properly Maintain the AC

acAs far as the homeowner is concerned, the only thing they need to know about maintaining their air conditioner is to replace the air filter and call a professional. It is that easy! 

There might only be two steps to the process, but these two steps are incredibly important. Also, the timing in which these two steps are accomplished is equally important. The air filter should be changed once every three months for someone living alone. Those living with multiple people and pets should replace the air filter more frequently. 

Doing so will provide the homeowner with benefits like: 

  • Cleaner air
  • Fewer breakdowns
  • A longer-lasting AC
  • Fewer allergies and illnesses 
  • Lower bill costs

Homeowners should also call a professional to have regular maintenance done twice a year. The professionals will look the entire system over to ensure everything is in working order. This routine will keep the AC working all summer long and for years to come! 

Air Conditioner Replacement Might Be a Must 

Suppose homeowners are dealing with an old AC that experiences frequent breakdowns regardless of how often they have professional maintenance done. In that case, it might be time to invest in a new, better-quality AC. It’s important to know what signs to look for when deciding if it’s time to invest in a replacement. 

Here are some common signs that an AC might be on its last leg: 

  • It doesn’t sufficiently cool the home
  • The system is always running
  • The system doesn’t want to turn on
  • The system makes weird noises when it does turn on
  • It experiences frequent breakdowns
  • It has weak or poor airflow 

Ceiling Fan Direction Helps to Circulate Cool Air 

fan Another cool trick homeowners might not yet be aware of is that their ceiling fans can make a world of difference in the summer, especially when used with their AC system. It might seem a little redundant, but having the ceiling fans on while the AC is running will help circulate the cool air in the home while simultaneously pushing out the warm air. In turn, this will leave the home cooler with little effort from the AC, which means that energy bills will decrease, and the AC won’t experience as many breakdowns from overuse. 

That said, the ceiling fan blades must be facing in the right direction. During the summer, the fan should spin counterclockwise. This creates a downdraft that pushes the cool air to the ground and around the room. During the winter, the opposite is true to help circulate the warm air around the room. 

It’s as simple as that! Not only will homeowners save their AC, but they can even help save their heaters in the winter! 

A New Image Heating & Cooling Is The One To Call

The experts at A New Image Heating & Cooling promise always to offer the most reliable service that homeowners can count on. Their friendly and professional technicians always have reliable solutions and competitive pricing. For next-level HVAC services in Warrensville Heights, OH, call and schedule AC maintenance today!

Schedule AC Maintenance During The Spring

Schedule AC Maintenance Before June!

schedule maintenanceAn average summer in Ohio can reach 90 degrees in the peak of July. AC systems should be properly maintained to prepare. Even air conditioners that still run may not work at optimal capacity, leading to higher utility bills. An annual inspection and maintenance are recommended to save money and stay cool all summer long.

As the weather gets warmer and more people are using air conditioning, AC companies get busier, which can cause long wait times by the end of spring. Scheduling an appointment in advance can reduce the chances of a malfunctioning AC this summer.

How To Keep Your AC Running All Summer

The average lifespan of a modern air conditioner is approximately 15 to 20 years. Older air conditioners can begin to break down even sooner. How long an air conditioner lasts depends on multiple factors. The initial quality of the air conditioner may have been high when purchased, but depending on the make and model, this can change. Newer models often have recent advancements to help keep the system running longer. If an air conditioner is purchased second-hand, it can become a problem after five or ten years.

An AC tune-up is recommended for both new and old systems to keep an air conditioner running at maximum capacity. Proper maintenance practices include scheduling inspections on a routine basis. An inspection can indicate if an air conditioner was installed correctly and whether the size of the system works for the house.

ac maintenance for longevity Air conditioning maintenance appointments ensure protection against unforeseen issues. Conditions such as irregular weather or system leaks can be fixed to help air conditioners last as long as possible. A unit that breaks down in the middle of summer may take longer to fix than if it was properly maintained annually.

Make Your AC Unit Last Longer With Routine Maintenance

Air conditioners that are well-maintained and energy-efficient do not usually need AC repair. They reduce the chances of a system breaking down during the year’s hottest months and help maintain good indoor air quality. Air conditioning repair services are frequently needed in older, unmaintained units.

If an air conditioner is still pumping cool air into the house, it may seem like it’s working. While it is still running, this may be misleading. Air conditioners can still circulate cool air while draining money and energy. One way to understand whether an air conditioner is working at a diminished capacity is to monitor energy bills.

An overworked air conditioner can cause a steady increase in AC service. When a unit is no longer running at full capacity, the indoor air may feel warmer. The inclination is to turn the thermostat down to produce even more cool air. This causes the system to work harder for the same temperature level as before the malfunction.

What Does AC Maintenance Involve?

Trained HVAC technicians help maintain an air conditioning unit by inspecting multiple areas of the system. Ductwork, air filters, and mechanical components are parts of a successful air conditioner. The air condensing unit produces proper airflow. Anything that is directly surrounding the condenser will need to be moved. This can include shrubbery or other types of debris. A professional will need to inspect all moving parts, such as the capacitors and fins.

Another part of routine maintenance involves the cooling refrigerant. If an air conditioner refrigerant is old, it may need to be replaced with an R-410A system. Since refrigerant is a chemical compound absorbed by heat, the environment must be considered. The refrigerant, Freon, has been discontinued for air conditioning purposes.

In addition to the unit itself, ductwork must be examined. Without proper airflow, all rooms in the home may not be sufficiently cooled, and maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature during the hot months requires properly sized ductwork.

Self Maintenance Tips

There are a few simple ways to keep an air conditioning system healthy between annual inspections that homeowners can do. Homeowners can replace air filters themselves. This is one way to maintain an AC unit without extra support. An air filter should be cleaned or changed every three months to maintain good air quality. It may need to be changed more often in households with pets or tenants that suffer from seasonal allergies.

Routine cleaning can be done using a vacuum. Vacuuming the unit’s fins will help increase the airflow. Using a soft bristle brush can also work. While cleaning the fins, it is important to check for any damage.

A programmable thermostat helps reduce the strain placed on an air conditioning system. By setting specific times for airflow, the unit does not have to work every hour. Programmable thermostats can be set for various times and may be used on multiple schedules. Setting alarms for when to turn the air conditioning on or off may be helpful for those who do not have a programmable thermostat.

Noisy air conditioners caused by the compressor can be temporarily muted by contacting the manufacturer. Homeowners can purchase a sound blanket for the specific model online. Universal blankets are also available until professionals can perform proper maintenance.

About A New Image Heating & Cooling

A New Image Heating & Cooling has served their neighbors in Warrensville Heights, OH, and the Greater Cleaveland Metro Area since 1990. They provide same-day service, upfront pricing, and 24/7 emergency repairs. Call them today for air conditioning repair and maintenance in Warrensville Heights, OH.