Avoid an Unpleasant Summer by Preparing Your AC Correctly

The time for blooms and allergies is mostly drawing to a close, and it’s now that portion of the year when green is everywhere, school ends, and long, hot days have arrived.

It’s summer, and things are going to get humid and a bit uncomfortable during the hottest days of the season. It’s a good thing then that we are able to enjoy modern conveniences, like air conditioning, to help deal with the heat.

Some of you may be putting your window units in, but for others, with a central system, there’s some routine housekeeping you should be doing to get ready for the summer.

Replace the Filter on a Seasonal Schedule

Homes that have both central AC and a furnace will normally integrate these systems together, for a complete HVAC unit.

With such a configuration, it means that the two units can share the same filter, which is more efficient.

However, that also means that the filter itself is used throughout the year.

In order to maintain efficiency, this filter should be replaced every three months.

Doing so means that the contaminants that are trapped in the filter can be removed and kept out of circulation in your home.

Check & Clean Your Condenser

Most central AC systems will have a large piece of hardware that is installed just outside the residence, called a condenser.

This unit is the important “first step” in the AC process.

A condenser draws in air from outside, exposes it to a coolant, then pumps that cooled air into your home.

The condenser’s function as a “vacuum” of sorts means that it has to have a lot of open spaces to promote strong air flow.

However, this means that the unit can allow detritus like leaves to fall inside.

If you have plants or trees in the vicinity of your condenser, inspect it before you start using it, and clean out the leaves if you find any.

Take Advantage of Your Thermostat Features

If you have an older thermostat in your home, think about an upgrade to a modern system.

If you do have a more recent system, are you making the most of its functionality?

Aside from more accuracy, which can lead to higher efficiency in your AC, a modern thermostat system can also help you save money by being strategic with the usage.

You can program your AC to remain inactive during the day if no one is home.

Then, in the time leading up to people returning, it can start cooling down the house, so people arrive to an already comfortable environment.