When this summer’s heatwave arrives, the last thing any household needs is for their air conditioner to not be working at its best. And with utility expenses constantly on the rise, the more efficient you can make your home’s cooling system, the better.
Annual professional maintenance is beneficial for many of your home’s cooling system components. But here we’ll outline a few things that you can do on your own to improve the life of your air conditioner in the Fresno summers.
Not to mention that an AC system performing its best is always more energy-efficient. This means you save money on your energy bills!
Lee’s Air, Plumbing, & Heating can help with servicing your home’s air conditioner to keep your space cool when you need it most, and to help save on your monthly bill. Call us today to schedule your annual air conditioning tune-up in Fresno County.
And remember that Lee’s Air, Plumbing, & Heating offers affordable HVAC Memberships to make sure your cooling system always gets the care and maintenance it needs to succeed.
Clean Around Your Outdoor Condenser Unit
Keeping your outdoor condenser unit clean and free of debris, will make sure it’s operating at optimum efficiency. Clear any leaves or other loose items, such as dirt or mud, away from your outdoor AC unit. Avoid placing other yard equipment, such as a lawnmower, beside your condenser unit.
The goal is to provide maximum airflow for this unit, which helps make the cooling process more efficient. An in-depth cleaning and annual service are ideal for making sure your air conditioner is running great when you need it most.
Repair a Sinking Air Conditioner Pad
Over time, the concrete air conditioner pads that the unit sits on may settle into the ground. As long as the pad remains level and the copper coolant tubes and electrical lines don’t look strained, the unit will continue to work properly.
But if you notice the pad is uneven, severely cracked, or there is any water pooling around the unit, this will need to be repaired to prevent further damage.
The condenser coil is one of the most important parts of your air conditioner. Call an HVAC contractor if your outdoor AC unit needs to be releveled.
Vacuum Your Indoor Vents
To help maintain consistent airflow from your system, clean dust and debris away from indoor supply vents. Blinds, furniture, and toys should also be kept away from the vents wherever possible. Never place furniture directly over an air register.
When cooling registers are blocked, your AC system must work harder to deliver cool air. Very dusty or dirty vents can also decrease your indoor air quality (IAQ).
Increase Your Thermostat by a Few Degrees
Changing the temperature by a few degrees (lower in winter, higher in summer) can save money and energy. With a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperature at different periods of the day or when you’ll be gone for several hours. This saves your system from cooling unnecessarily.
Consider installing a smart thermostat for even greater energy efficiency. Smart thermostats learn your home’s cooling behavior and automatically adjust to optimize efficient cooling. Our specialists at Lee’s Air, Plumbing, & Heating can help set up your home for ultimate HVAC efficiency in the changing Fresno climate.
Keep Heat Away From Your Thermostat
Heat-producing appliances close to your thermostat will signal to it that the air in your home needs to be cooled more. This forces your air conditioning system to run longer and work harder than it needs to. Don’t place toaster ovens or refrigerators (which have their own heat-producing coils) near a thermostat.
A professional installation with one of our HVAC specialists at Lee’s Air, Plumbing, & Heating will make sure your thermostats are in the right places.
Keep Curtains & Blinds Closed
When the sun shines directly on your windows, closing your curtains or blinds will keep some of the heat from entering your home. This can ensure that your air conditioner doesn’t need to work overtime during peak hours of the day.
In Fresno County, the summer sun is at its highest at about 1:00pm. Try keeping direct sunlight out of your home between 12pm and 3pm to help your air conditioner perform its best.
Clear Your Evaporator Coils
The indoor cooling coil, or evaporator coil, is usually located inside your home near the air intake of your air conditioner. These coils are responsible for removing heat from the incoming air, which provides refreshing cool air to your home.
Over time, these coils can get covered in grime and dust, which reduces their cooling capacity. When you turn on your AC system for the first time in a while, you may notice a musty odor or the smell of stinky socks. This is a clue your unit needs cleaning!
Some of the components in your air conditioning system are delicate. We always recommend a professional AC cleaning once a year to keep your home at its coolest. Give us a call at Lee’s Air, Plumbing, & Heating if it’s been a while since you’ve had your air conditioner serviced and cleaned.
Avoid Using Your Dryer & Oven When It’s HOT
Running your dryer and using your oven, can cause warmer air to be drawn into your home, as well as keep the overall temperature higher inside. This makes your air conditioner work harder than it needs to because it triggers a response from the thermostat to cool the house down even more.
We know sometimes you can’t avoid roasting a meal in the oven. But doing so in the evening will help balance your home’s cooling demands.
And if your air conditioner is on, it must be hot outside! So consider hang-drying clothes when the sun is out and it’s hot! Plus, you’ll save money on your dryer’s energy costs.
Insulate Exposed Ductwork
Make sure that any ductwork that runs through an unconditioned space is adequately sealed so that no conditioned air escapes. Visual leaks can be repaired using specialized duct-sealing tape, but we’ll make sure your ducts are inspected at your next planned maintenance visit.
Our HVAC specialist will make sure to insulate your ductwork with the right thickness of duct insulation. We’re always trying to maximize your cooling efficiency.
Prepare for Prime Cooling With a Professional
Allowing healthy airflow for your air conditioner, both inside and out, is one way to increase cooling efficiency. Make sure to set your thermostat properly, and make sure your AC system is being cleaned regularly.
Having your AC system annually serviced by a professional will increase cooling performance. Annual maintenance also ensures your air conditioner is working at its best when you need it the most. Lee’s Air, Plumbing, & Heating can help take the guesswork out of maintaining your home’s air conditioner and all of the connected systems.
Get your Air Conditioning Tune-Up completed before the summer strikes. Don’t wait until the hottest days when service demand is highest and you’re stuck suffering in the heat.
At Lee’s Air, Plumbing, & Heating, we want to keep your air conditioner working great and you feeling great in your home! So take a look at our Club Advantage HVAC Maintenance Program to stay cool whenever the Fresno sun is shining.
