As we move into shorts-and-T-shirt weather, your AC system will work harder to keep your home or office cool. Here in Toledo, we get warm, humid summers, which means your air conditioner will need to work a little harder than in other areas of the country to maintain a stable temperature. With that in mind, we have brought together eight of the best tips to keep your AC unit happy and healthy during its high-use months that you can do today!
Replace your Filters
Your AC unit, or air handler, will be much happier if you replace the air filter. Dirty filters restrict airflow, causing the system to work harder to cool your home and increasing the energy your HVAC system consumes. Ideally, you should check your filters at least once a month and replace them every three to four months, depending on the amount of pet hair, dander, and dust in your home.
Inspect & Clean Your Unit
One of the best things that you can do is clean the exterior of your AC unit at least once a month. It is not a complicated process, and you can start by removing any leaves, dirt or twigs that may have gathered around the base of your unit. You will then use a spray nozzle attachment to your garden hose and spray down the exterior of the unit. If you do notice any visible wear or damage, it is best to call in a professional HVAC company like Fry to take a look and suggest next steps.
Seal Leaks in Your Home
The next thing that you can do is take a look at your windows and doors and ensure that your weatherstripping and caulk are still doing their job. Proper leak sealing can save you hundreds, if not thousands, in heating and cooling costs, and this is especially important to do in older homes that may need weatherstripping replaced or caulking reinstalled.
Check your Attic Insulation
One of the most significant potential sources of heat loss in your home is your attic, especially when it is improperly insulated. You want to have between 10 and 20 inches of insulation in the attic to give you an R-60 insulation value. This will ensure that heated or cooled air does not escape through your attic and into the exterior environment.
Use Fans on all Levels of the Home
This one might seem counterintuitive, but using ceiling and standing fans can help reduce the workload on your AC unit. The reason is that these fans move air throughout your home, allowing hard-to-reach or under-vented areas to still receive cold air and help keep the overall temperature low.
Monitor & Address Indoor Humidity
Humidity is not your friend when it comes to keeping your home cool during the summer months. It is a good idea to monitor your indoor humidity and use a dehumidifier if levels exceed 50%. You can either buy a standalone dehumidifier or install one in your air handler to provide whole-home dehumidification.
Check Your Vents
We often think of our forced-air vent systems as something that never needs to be touched, but over time, issues can arise, such as accidental closures or vents being blocked by carpet or furniture. For ultimate cooling, you will want to check all your vents and ensure they are open and free of any obstructions. If you find a specific room is getting too cold, you can purchase a vent deflector to better control the airflow in that room.
Get an AC Check-up
It is always a good idea to do an annual AC maintenance call with an experienced HVAC contractor here in Toledo, OH. These AC checks will allow the HVAC technician to verify refrigerant levels, ensure the unit is operating normally, and inspect the air handler and any associated machinery. One thing to note is that an AC check requires the temperature to be at least 70 degrees to properly test cooling. So, a call to schedule one in the Spring or Summer is ideal.
A properly functioning air conditioner is going to do wonders for your home’s comfort during those scorching hot summer days by the lake that we get here in Toledo, OH. The good news is that keeping your AC unit happy and healthy is not that complicated. Check it monthly, do regular cleaning of the unit, and book an annual maintenance visit with a professional HVAC company to stay on top of issues before they become problems.
