Summer may feel like it’s a long time off away. But before you know it, you’ll be moving from heating to cooling. Soon enough your air conditioner is running regularly to maintain cozy temperatures. It’s beneficial to be ready for the additional usage before temperatures really start to climb.
Parker Pearce Service Experts and our team of Experts can assist you. We’ve designed our all-inclusive air conditioning memberships to maximize your system’s energy efficiency and reliability. Our professional knowledge goes a long way, but there are lots of other steps you can take to protect your air conditioner. Here are four of the best ways you can prepare for air conditioning season.
1. Clean Your Air Conditioner
Don’t worry, you won’t have to take apart your system and clean every piece. Our Experts do this during your routine air conditioning maintenance appointment.
But cleaning the area around your air conditioner will go a long way too. We suggest:
- Clearing twigs, leaves and grass clippings from the outside of your air conditioner.
- Keeping surrounding grass and plants cut back.
- Maintaining no less than 1 foot of open room on all sides around your air conditioner.
If your air conditioner’s fins get full of dirt or yard refuse, this can decrease performance and comfort. Your air conditioner will have to run longer to deliver the same level of comfort. In bad cases, it could stop working altogether and need air conditioning repair.
Your comfort and satisfaction are our priority, so we like to minimize the possibility of repairs in the first place. A clean air conditioner usually operates more efficiently, is less likely to break down and often lasts longer.
2. Replace Your Air Filter
Frequently replacing your air filter is important for your air conditioner’s well-being. During a tune-up visit, our technicians examine filters and put in new ones if necessary. Replacing the filter is quick and easy. You can (and should) do it on your own when you can!
How frequently you need to install a new filter depends on:
- The style of filter you use.
- If someone in your house has asthma, allergies or other respiratory issues.
- If you have pets.
Basic flat filters normally last for 30–60 days. Thicker pleated filters can last up to 90 days. If you’re not sure if your filter needs to be replaced, remove it, and angle it toward the light. Put in a new one if you can’t see light through it.
Filters remove dust, pollen and other contaminants from your house’s air, keeping airflow clean. Disregarding it will decrease your house’s indoor air quality and your air conditioner’s efficiency.
In some situations a dirty filter may even damage your system or cause it to stop working. Regularly putting in a new one will keep the inside of your air conditioner cleaner and airflow more balanced.
If someone in your home has allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems, check with our Experts about how a HEPA filter can relieve symptoms.
3. Check Your Thermostat and Smoke Detectors
Now is the perfect time to test other critical components of your air conditioner and other safety systems.
If you have a programmable thermostat, check that it’s running right. If the batteries are running low, change them.
For additional control and convenience, think about upgrading to a smart thermostat. They make conserving energy much more convenient. And select models can even notify you if there’s an issue with your air conditioner or if your air filter needs to be changed.
Even though they’re not part of your air conditioning system, now is a great time to inspect the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Confirming they’re still good offers peace of mind and an additional layer of security.
4. Keep Heat Where it Belongs
One of the wisest ways to boost energy-efficient cooling is to minimize the amount of outside heat coming into your residence. Using premium window treatments including blackout curtains, honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, can block the sun from affecting interior temperatures.
Here are a couple other ways to keep your house chilly without adjusting the thermostat:
- Run ceiling fans when you’re in the room.
- Use your bathroom fan to get rid of heat and humidity when you shower.
- Keep air vents unobstructed to ensure proper airflow.
- Install caulk and weatherstripping to seal your doors and windows.
Trust Parker Pearce Service Experts for Experienced Air Conditioning Maintenance
Our list will help your air conditioner cool better this summer. But the best way you can improve efficiency is with air conditioning maintenance. Some perks of this service include:
- Stress-free cooling.
- Possibly cheaper cooling bills.
- Possibly extending your air conditioner’s life expectancy.
- Keeping your valuable manufacturer’s warranty valid.
Make sure your air conditioning is prepped for this summer! Call the heating and cooling Experts at Parker Pearce Service Experts right away! Call us at 301-476-4577 to schedule your maintenance appointment or to learn more about our HVAC membership plans.