It never fails. Memphis is experiencing record heat and the air conditioner in your home begins blowing out warm air or stops operating altogether. Along with hundreds of other people in our community, you reach for the phone to call your HVAC specialist, and wait out the heat until relief arrives. While some A/C issues absolutely require a professional to service them, here are a few tips that can be used to lower the possibility of this happening to you this summer.
Maximize Air Flow
To work properly, your air conditioner needs to pull air through the system, including recirculating air inside your home. If this process is obstructed in any way, it can result in trouble and repair costs. To guarantee great air flow, make sure to keep space around the vents - indoors and outside. This includes scaling back vegetation and cleaning dirt away from vents.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Controlling the consumption of your indoor energy use is simple with a programmable thermostat. Program your air conditioner for warmer temperatures when the home is empty or at night when it cools down outside.
In addition, program your thermostat for lengthier run-cycles. While this action won’t prevent problems, it can help reduce humidity in your Memphis area home. This can provide a more comfortable environment, in addition to keep mold spores from growing in your home.
Keep Pests at Bay
For some reason certain bugs and pests are attracted to air conditioning units, which can be detrimental if they get inside the system. To keep ants and other pests away, use an eco-friendly pesticide around the exterior of the unit to keep them from “bugging” your air conditioner.
Stay Level
Nearly all outdoor A/C units rest on a concrete slab or other platform, giving them a level base of operation. However, the weight of the unit and ground moisture can cause your unit’s platform to sag or sink, impacting the performance of the air conditioner. Check on your outdoor component to confirm that the base continues to stay level.
Of course, regular maintenance, such as lubrication and filter changes, are also important to keep your air conditioner operating as it should. Try to schedule a check up before the summer starts to ensure your system is ready to face the hot days ahead. Following these suggestions, you may be able to avoid A/C problems and have a stress-free and climate controlled home all summer.