Our team at Crocker Refrigeration Heating & Air likes to help residents get the most out of their air conditioners during the summer. Here are four tips to keep in mind.
1. Change Your Air Filter Frequently
Santa Barbara summers can get very hot, especially during August. This means there will be quite a bit of strain put on your air conditioner to keep your home cool. To help ease the strain, it’s important that you don’t let your air filters become too clogged. Not only will this reduce the quality of your indoor air, but it will also prevent your AC from doing its job properly. Try to change your air filter every two months. If you have pets who shed a lot, consider changing your AC’s filter monthly.
2. Insulate Your Home
If you have leaks in your attic or around your windows, cool, conditioned air will easily escape. What’s worse is that the hot air from outside will leak in. This will force your air conditioner to work harder than it needs to work. Try to seal all the leaks around your windows to prevent the loss of cool air. You can apply caulk to both the exterior and interior edges.
3. Give Your AC a Break
Hot weather can be hard on an air conditioner. When you’re not home, give your AC a break. Turn it off so that it’s not running all the time. The wear and tear on your AC over the summer months can be enormous, and the hot weather can quickly wear out specific parts. If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to turn on about 30 minutes before you return home. However, if you’re away for a couple of days or longer, turn your AC off.
Even when you’re home, try to set it at a consistent temperature. Usually, 78 degrees Fahrenheit is a good balance between cooling your home and not having high energy bills.
4. Schedule Annual Maintenance
It’s important to make sure that your AC is prepared for the summer months. In order for your AC to do its job over the summer, it needs to be in good condition. Schedule annual maintenance in late spring so that technicians can inspect your AC, replace worn-out parts, lubricate moving parts, and check for leaks. Skilled technicians can ensure that your AC will last throughout the hot months. With an annual maintenance scheduled at the end of spring, you’ll have peace of mind that there won’t be any sudden breakdowns.
At Crocker Refrigeration Heating & Air, we’re happy to offer tips for taking care of your air conditioner over the summer. We also provide repairs, installation, and maintenance services for our Santa Barbara, CA customers. Contact us today if you need to schedule a service.
