Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

Summer is here and it’s getting hot! Maintenance on your air conditioner is one of the most important things you can do to keep cool now that we are getting into the heat of summer. Here are some actions you can take yourself to keep you cool this summer.

Replace Your Air Filters Regularly

Air filters remove pollen, dust, smoke particles, pet dander amongst other air pollutants from your home. By doing so, they improve the air quality of your home and can reduce your chances of respiratory infections, and other health problems.

A clean air filter will cut down on servicing of your unit and help it run more efficiently. You may be wondering if there are any benefits to the more expensive air filters rather than the cheaper filters that are available. When purchasing air filters, there are many factors that you should consider:

• Cheap filters don’t last long like expensive filters.
• Expensive filters are made of better-quality materials.
• Expensive air filters have more surface area to filter unlike cheap filters.
• Cheap filters are not as effective at removing dust and other contaminants from the air.

Pet Owners

Owning a pet can be exciting and for some a crucial part of life. Fur babies, service animal, family member, whatever you call them they are a big part of your life and taking care of them can actually help your air conditioner stay efficient. Here are a few things to do to keep your unit running properly during the summer months:

• Brush your pet regularly.
  • Brushing regularly picks up the pet hair up the brush and not in your filter.
• Change air filters more frequently.
  • Ensure you are matching the filter to the shed rate to your pet.
• Build a barrier around your outdoor air conditioner unit.
  • The outdoor condenser is a giant suction unit. If your pet rubs against the unit they can clog it up and send dander into your system inside.

Clear away Plants and Bushes

Your air conditioning unit needs freely flowing air to function correctly. As bushes, flower beds, grass, or weeds grow around the unit, they obstruct the airflow. Again, this pushes the unit harder than necessary.

Clear away any plant life you find growing near the unit. It ensures the unit gets enough air. That ensures a more efficient unit for your home.

Get a Programmable Thermostat

Many people leave their air conditioning turned on all day, cooling an empty house or apartment. Others simply forget about adjusting the thermostat on their way out the door. This shortens the working life of the air conditioning unit and costs you money.

A programmable thermostat removes the human element. You simply program the thermostat for the temperatures you want at different times of the day. You save money and extend the efficient working life of the unit.

Check the Drain Line

Your air conditioning unit needs to drain excess moisture from the condenser. This drain line can clog from algae growth.

You do some preventative maintenance by flushing the line from time to time with a small amount of bleach. One cup will usually do the trick.

If algae or mold has mostly plugged the line, a basic wet/dry vacuum cleaner can typically suck away the obstruction.

Have Your Unit Serviced Regularly

Having a quality professional service your unit regularly will extend the life of your HVAC system, improve energy efficiency, prevent unexpected breakdowns, and keep you cool in the summer heat.

For a quality heating and cooling professional visit HomeHero Heating & Air.

918-268-7304

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