Does this sound familiar?. Pierre is experiencing record heat and the air conditioner in your home starts blowing out warm air or stops operating entirely. Along with hundreds of other people in our city, 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 reduce the likeliness of this happening to you this summer.
Max-Out the Air Flow
For the A/C system to work correctly, you need to ensure the air is pulling through properly, including recirculating air inside your home. If Air blockage or obstruction of any kind can end up translating to money out of pocket for you. To assure you have the manufacturer suggested air flow, make sure to keep the area clear around the vents - indoors and outside. This includes trimming back vegetation and cleaning dirt away from vents.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Beyond helping reduce energy costs by regulating your home’s temperature, programmable thermostats can also help minimize impact on your system. 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 longer run-cycles. We are not suggesting that this will prevent problems, it can help bring down the humidity in your Pierre area home. This can provide a more comfortable environment, plus keep mold spores from developing in your home.
Get Rid of Any Pests
Many bugs and pests are drawn to A/C 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 base of the unit with a reasonably wide perimeter of 24 – 36 inches.
Stay Level
The majority of outdoor A/C units rest on a concrete slab or other platform, allowing them a level base of operation. However, over time these can settle or sag, impacting the performance of the air conditioner. Every now and then, look at your outdoor component to ensure that the base continues to stay level.
Obviously, 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. Keeping these tips in mind, you may be able to decrease the chance of several common A/C problems and have a stress-free and climate controlled home all summer.