Summer AC Prep Whitney

In Whitney, getting your air conditioning unit ready for summer involves a few important tasks. The first is to check the outdoor unit and clear it of any obstructions that might inhibit airflow. This is especially important if the unit is located anywhere near trees that might have shed their leaves right before the summer. Even without any trees, don’t be surprised if you managed to let a few sticks or some dust or dirt get too close to the unit. Next, you should check the air filters that are inside the units that are inside you, as these have also become inefficient at moving air and too good at moving dust. If you've been letting the air filters go for upwards of 1-3 months, now's the time to change them.

It's recommended that you replace or clean the air filters in your AC unit every 1-3 months during the frequent-use summer season. Many factors influence this schedule—even your pet's or your allergies can make a case for more frequent filtration changes! Keep reading to learn about what factors should guide your filter maintenance schedule, the efficiency implications of filter cleanliness, and some basic tips for filter upkeep. Some guidance for maintenance schedule decisions: 1. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations, usually found in the owner’s manual. 2. Consider the type of filter used in your system.

Your AC unit may require maintenance if you see any of the following signals. If the unit is blowing anything but cold air, which is what you'd expect an AC unit to do, warm air blowing from it might not be a good sign. It may mean your unit has a refrigerant problem or that the compressor is acting up. If the unit is making weird noises, like grinding or banging sounds, it could be close to a part malfunctioning. And if you have any weird surges in your power bills, that's also something to call a pro about.

You can carry out a few tasks to maintain your AC unit, but there are certain tasks you should leave to the pros. HVAC technicians are trained to inspect and clean the internal workings of the AC unit, check the refrigerant levels, and make sure the electrical connections are secure. You're probably not trained in that, and risking your safety and the well-being of the AC unit by attempting those tasks isn't a great idea. It's best to have a technician perform a tune-up just before the peak season when you're going to need the air conditioner the most.

There are several reasons to get your air conditioner tuned up before summer. In so many words, it could be called an efficiency check. The unit is going to be working hard; it might as well work smart. Tuned-up, it might lower the energy bills. And, whether it is doing that or not, it is going to be keeping the “indoor” environment healthy, as air conditioning has much to do with air quality and, in some circle, has been called the Indoor Climate Control Unit.

When your air conditioning unit isn't working properly, you can troubleshoot a few simple things before calling in a pro. Check that the thermostat is functioning and set to the desired settings (it should be in cooling mode and at least 5 degrees below the ambient temp). Make sure the filters, in your interior unit and in the ventilation system, are clean and have not been replaced recently, as that can impair airflow. Lastly, ensure the outdoor unit is clear of any obstructions; that means no vegetation, standing water, or debris of any kind. If you resolve all these checks and are still not getting satisfactory cooling, it might be time to call an HVAC technician.

If you want to cut your energy costs while using air conditioning, a few straightforward tactics can help. When you're not home, turn your thermostat up (or down, in the case of an AC unit, which works as a heat pump does in the winter) to the kind of temperature you could live with in the summer but that would be so uncomfortable that it practically guarantees you won't hang around home. Increasing the set temperature (not actually a "decrease" in energy used, since the AC is just set to run "cool" rather than "cold") by 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit can reduce your bill by 10 to 20 percent.

AC units in Whitney can be set to many different ideal temperatures, but not all of them are energy efficient. If you want to save energy while still staying cool, one good option is to set your AC to about 78 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the experts, that is a reasonable setting that balances comfort and not wasting energy. The good news—78 degrees isn't a bad temperature for a person to remain at home in. When I was home during the recent heat wave, I felt comfortable with the AC at that setting.

There are many advantages to using a programmable thermostat with your air conditioning unit in the summer. You can set it to hold the temperature at a comfortable level for you, and when you're not home, it can hold a temperature that's still safe for your home's contents but is a lot less energy-intensive. This can be a great way to mitigate the increased energy demand from cooling systems. Unlike a simple on/off switch, the thermostat can control the system to maintain the desired conditions in the space without the system constantly shutting off and cycling back on at full power.

To ensure an air conditioning unit works properly during the summer, it must be cleaned regularly. When an outdoor AC unit is installed, a technician will clear a space around the unit of about two feet. This area must stay clear for the AC unit to function effectively. If any part of the area that encloses the unit becomes blocked, the airflow necessary for efficient operation becomes compromised. If the condenser coils become dirty, the unit can overheat and fail to cool. Even with a regular cleaning schedule, a unit may not function properly if the space around the unit is not clear.