AC Tips For Summer From Warner Service Heating, Cooling and Plumbing
AC Tips For Summer From Warner Service Heating, Cooling and Plumbing
The days are getting warmer, and your air conditioner is working overtime to keep you cool. Warner Service Heating, and Cooling. Hornhvac installers will help save you money and energy.
Seal air leaks around windows and doors. Add insulation to sun-facing walls. Use programmable thermostats. Avoid heat-producing appliances like the oven, dishwasher and dryer.
1. Inspect Your Attic
A leaky attic can account for a large portion of air loss in your home, which drives up your energy costs. Adding attic insulation, air sealing and duct sealant can all make a huge difference.
The most important part of your attic inspection is checking for leaking ducts. Leaky ducts waste energy and reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner.
Leaks in your attic can also lead to roof damage. Make sure to check for dampness or mold around the ducts.
To conduct your attic inspection, start by going upstairs early in the morning when the attic will be coolest. Put on safety gear, including a dust mask and goggles, and remove some of the attic insulation to expose your ductwork. Turn on your HVAC system and feel along the ducts for air leaks, paying special attention to joints and other areas where ducts meet. If you can feel escaping air, a duct leak is likely.
2. Inspect Your Furnace
You rely on your air conditioning unit to keep your home cool during the hot Houston summer, but when winter rolls around and you turn on your furnace, it is important to get that system inspected too. Uninspected units can suffer from low heating efficiency and a potential carbon monoxide leak, which is colorless, odorless and can cause dizziness, nausea or even death.
If you’re not sure what’s wrong with your furnace, start by shutting off the circuit breaker and removing the cover on the outside condensing unit. Then check the gas pressure at your meter box using a gauge. If it’s too high or too low, a professional will need to adjust the gas pressure to correct it. Next, check for a blocked exhaust system and make sure the outside vent is not covered or blocked by trees or debris. If you can’t find anything, call a professional to inspect and repair it. The cost of an annual inspection is much less than the costs of a damaged furnace or carbon monoxide poisoning.
3. Clean the Filter
A clean filter helps your AC unit function better. It catches contaminant particles to prevent them from blowing into your home, which reduces summer allergy symptoms and makes the air healthier.
To clean your filter, remove it from its housing and wash it in a sink or tub with warm water. Rinse it thoroughly, then let it dry completely before returning it to its place in your air conditioner.
In addition to washing your filters, be sure to clear off the outdoor unit of your AC every so often to prevent debris build-up. Grass clippings, leaves, mulch, and other debris can obstruct the vents or clog them.
Look for an outdoor unit with a filter shaped like a rectangle and purchase a new one to replace your old one. Make sure you buy a filter that is the correct size, so it fits snugly in its housing. Then, shine a flashlight on the fins to check for obstructions that can restrict air flow. Gently brush the fins to open them up, if necessary.
4. Schedule Maintenance
With beach vacations, backyard BBQs, and hotter temperatures, summer is an exciting time to spend at home. But it can quickly become an uncomfortable one if your air conditioner stops working properly.
A dirty filter reduces airflow and makes the system work harder to cool your home. Inspect the filter monthly and change it as needed. If your air conditioner is in a warm or sunny location (like near a window) you can also get it professionally moved to a cooler spot to save energy.
It’s a good idea to schedule AC maintenance before the summer heat hits to make sure everything is ready to go when it’s needed most. This includes a full inspection of the indoor and outdoor unit, refrigerant charging, and mechanical component lubrication. Enter your zip below to be matched with top-rated pros near you!
