It never fails. A heat wave is covering the Dayton area and the air conditioner in your home starts blowing out warm air or stops operating completely. Along with hundreds of other people in our town, you pick up 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 decrease the chance of this happening to you this summer.
Maximize Air Flow
To work properly, your air conditioner needs to pull air through the system, including recirculating air throughout the rooms of your home. If the air flow is blocked in any way, it can result in trouble and repair costs. 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. Adjust the temperature of your home to run less when you are at work or school, and automatically increase to a desired temperature when you are actually in the home.
In addition, program your thermostat for longer run-cycles. While this does not necessary prevent problems, it can help lower humidity in your Dayton area home. This can provide a more comfortable environment, in addition to keep mold spores from growing 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
Nearly all outdoor A/C units are positioned on a concrete slab or other platform, giving them a level base of operation. However, the weight of the unit and ground moisture can cause your unit’s platform to sag or sink, hindering the performance of the air conditioner. Keep an eye on your outdoor component to confirm that the base continues to stay level.
Of course, regular maintenance, such as lubrication and filter changes, are pretty important to keep your air conditioner running smoothly. 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 avoid A/C problems and have a stress-free and climate controlled home all summer.