For you to live in harmony with your air conditioner, you need to observe a set of dos and don’ts. Here is what you should observe as given by air conditioning repair services providers:
Do make a habit of inspecting the appliance
Before you start using the air conditioner, you should train yourself to always inspect the unit. Some of the things you should do include:
Check the air filter: Depending on the model and brand of air conditioner you have, the air filter is located on the air handler. This is located in the basement or duct system. If you are having issues locating the air filter, ask a professional to guide you through.
Registers: You need to identify all the registers and clear any obstructions that might be there. This ensures even airflow throughout the house.
Condenser: This is the largest metal unit you will find outside the house. Inspect it and get rid of any vegetation, grass, or any obstructions that might be there.
You can inspect the unit by yourself or hire an expert to help you out. You don’t have to inspect these areas every day. Doing it once a month is enough. When you identify an issue with the unit, don’t turn on the appliance without first fixing it.
Do get to know your thermostat
The thermostat controls how the air conditioner functions. There are plenty of thermostats in the market that you can go for. If you just bought a house, you should know that older thermostats feature three settings: cool, heat, and off.
It’s also common to have a fan setting that features two settings: auto and on. Setting the fan to auto-saves you money as the fan will only turn on when the air conditioner is working.
You need to know when the thermostat is working properly and when it’s not. If you notice your energy bills going up, your thermostat is most likely not working properly. In such a case, you should consider getting a new one.
If your house has an old thermostat, consider upgrading it. Get a programmable thermostat that will allow you to adjust your home temperature even when you aren’t in the house.
Do repair the issues when you notice them
Many homeowners ignore air conditioner problems when they notice them. For example, when they notice their units making some noises, they ignore them as the air conditioner is still working. Don’t do this.
When you notice a problem with the air conditioner, regardless of how minor, consider fixing it. You can fix it by yourself if you have the skills or hire an expert to help you out.
You should note that when a unit is functioning with some problems, it tends to consume a lot of energy. It also tends to break down every now and then which makes it expensive to maintain. You also live in worry as you don’t know when it will grind to a stop.
To avoid all this, fix the issues as soon as you notice them.
Don’t let the air conditioner do all the work
Having an air conditioner doesn’t mean that you should throw away the fans and any other units that you were using before. Relying on the air conditioner solely to keep your house cool is expensive and puts a lot of unnecessary stress on the air conditioner.
For you to avoid overworking the air conditioner and at the same time keep your cooling costs low, supplement your air conditioner with simple cooling techniques. For example, make use of cooling fans. If you don’t already have them, consider getting a few.
When you turn the ceiling fans settings counter-clockwise you help circulate cool air which prevents the air conditioner from working too hard. When getting new ceiling fans, ensure they are of high quality. They also should be the ideal size for your home.
Don’t ignore the cleaning
Due to its location and work, the air conditioner tends to accumulate a lot of dirt. A lot of debris deposition not only makes the unit work inefficiently, it also gives it a bad look. You need to clean the unit by yourself or hire an AC repair services Fairfax provider to help you out.
When cleaning the unit, pay attention to the air filters. You can clean or replace them if too dirty.
