By Brenda Ashaka
Alpha 4 Real AC Repair & Heating, Katy, TX
Texas summers are hot. If you have lived here for any length of time, you know that. The temperatures in the state can easily soar into the triple digits and that can be hard on infrastructure.
But there are ways to mitigate any damage to your infrastructure from the heat. The answer is regular maintenance. Maintaining your air conditioner in Texas, where hot and humid weather can be demanding on cooling systems, is essential to ensure it runs efficiently and lasts longer.
Without regular maintenance of your residential air conditioning or commercial HVAC systems, you risk costly breakdown and ballooning repair costs.
To ensure you will not face unnecessary repair and service calls, here are some easy ways to keep your air conditioner running smoothly.
Regular Cleaning
It’s a joy to come home at the end of the day, open your front door and be greeted by the cool breeze of your air conditioner. If you fail to do some basic maintenance on your AC however, you may experience the opposite. Dust and debris can accumulate on the condenser coils and filters, reducing efficiency. Clean or replace filters every 1-2 months, and consider scheduling professional maintenance annually to clean the coils and check for any issues.
Thermostat Settings
Another thing you can do is to adjust your thermostat properly. Set your thermostat to a comfortable but not excessively low temperature. While it is desirable to have a chilled home during the top of the summer heat, running your AC at lower temperatures requires more energy and can strain the system. Our AC repair experts say it is ideal to set your thermostat at low, but not excessively low, temperature.
Programmable Thermostat
Consider installing a programmable thermostat that allows you to set temperature schedules. This can help you save energy when you’re not at home or during cooler times of the day. Having your air conditioning system set at 65 degrees during the day when no one is at home is not only wasteful, it is expensive. A programmable thermostat will allow you to set different temperatures for different times of the day and night, thus allowing your home to stay cool but not excessively cold when there is no one at home.
Shade and Insulation
Keep your home well-insulated to prevent heat from seeping in. Planting shade trees or using shades, blinds, or curtains can also help reduce indoor temperatures, easing the load on your AC. Most homes, especially older homes were not insulated properly when they were built or the insulation has never been changed. If you live in an older home, consider upgrading your home’s insulation. That will help lower the temperature in your home.
Seal Leaks
A customer called us recently to complain that her air conditioner was not cooling her home. When our technicians got there, they discovered there was a gaping hole between her door and the door frame that is allowing hot air to flow into the home from outside. We advised here to have the gap fixed, she did and now she is enjoying cooler temperatures in her home. Ensure that your doors and windows are properly sealed to prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering your home.
Regular Maintenance
Most of us buy insurance for our vehicles to protect us when or if we get into accidents. That is what scheduled maintenance does for your home. It allows you to find and fix issues in the home before they become major problems. For your air conditioning system, getting a regular annual maintenance is like an insurance. Schedule annual professional maintenance for your air conditioner. A technician can check for refrigerant leaks, clean coils, lubricate moving parts, and make necessary repairs. Also consider a Maintenance Plan. Some HVAC companies like Alpha 4 Real AC and Heating Service offer annual AC maintenance agreement plans that include regular check-ups and discounts on repairs. These plans can help you stay on top of AC maintenance.
Clear the Area
Make sure the area around your outdoor unit is clear of debris, leaves, and vegetation. Adequate airflow around the condenser is crucial for efficient operation. Look at it this way – if you have a pipe that is clogged, no water can get through that pipe. That is the same process with debris and dirt stopping adequate air from flowing through your system.
Replace Old Units
This is easy to understand. Older air conditioners don’t perform as well as newer ones. If your air conditioner is old and inefficient, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient model. Newer units are designed to be more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Use Fans
Ceiling fans or portable fans can help distribute cool air more efficiently, allowing you to set your thermostat a few degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. Like we mentioned above, setting your air conditioner at a low, but not excessively low temperature, can help prolong the lifespan of your AC unit.
Check Ductwork
Ensure that your ducts are well-sealed and insulated. Leaky or poorly insulated ducts can lead to energy wastage. Also be mindful of heat-generating appliances like ovens and stoves during the hottest part of the day. Use them in the evening or early morning to minimize the load on your AC.
Following these simple steps will help keep your air conditioner running efficiently thereby helping you stay comfortable while also reducing energy consumption and costs. If you need help maintaining your air conditioning system, call us today at 281-347-7325. You can also complete this short AC repair request form and one of our technicians will be happy to come out and take care of any issues you are having. We answer all calls 24/7 including during the holidays.
