If you’re like me, you don’t think much about your air conditioner, unless, of course, it stops working. And on a hot and humid day – such as today – the last thing you want is your air conditioner to quit on you. With a hot summer like the one we’ve had, it is important to maintain your cooling system so that you avoid any unanticipated breakdowns.
What steps can you take to steer clear of such malfunctions? Well, performing simple maintenance regularly can help ensure that your unit is running at peak efficiency, help you save on energy bills and prevent the need for any costly repairs.
First off, if your unit is located on the ground, it is important to clear it from debris on a regular basis. Debris, such as plants and leaves, can impede air flow and cause your unit to work overtime. To clear debris, simply use a garden hose to carefully rinse dirt and debris off of the unit’s grill. Doing this monthly can prevent potential breakdowns from occurring.
The second and least expensive thing you can do to maintain your cooling system is changing its filter regularly. A dirty filter not only increases your cooling costs, but also can damage your equipment, which can lead to unit failure. If remembering to change your filter monthly is a hassle, employ this simple trick: change your filter every month when you receive your energy bill. Also, buy filters 12 at a time so you are sure to have them on hand when you need them. If you are uncertain on how to change your filter, have a technician show you at your next appointment or give your local air conditioning contractor a call and they can walk you through it.
The final and most important thing you can do to maintain your air conditioning unit (or furnace for that matter) is scheduling a yearly tune-up – a maintenance activity that is best left to the professionals. Scheduling your tune-up before the peak of the summer season hits can help avoid breakdowns when you need your system the most. It is important to keep in mind that when the temperature rises, most air conditioning contractors are their busiest, so schedule accordingly. Regular scheduled maintenance is beneficial to you and your equipment because it ensures your unit is running at optimum efficiency which leads to a decrease in your energy bills. It also reduces the chance that a breakdown will occur.
Performing simple maintenance on your cooling system, such as the aforementioned tips, can save you time and money, but most importantly – help you sweat less!
Drucks Sudden Service services northeastern Wisconsin’s Winnebago and Outagamie counties. For more information, please visit our website: www.drucks.com and be sure to check out our monthly web special – this month we are offering $15 off a precision AC tune-up!
