As summer is around the corner, it is an excellent time to get your AC units inspected . After all, nothing is more bothersome than a faulty AC that refuses to cool your room, but you can get an AC repair in Fallbrook, CA. To guarantee your air conditioner is running smoothly, you must look after it well.
Part of maintaining an AC is ensuring it is clean, has the appropriate filters, and is not covered in dust.
The climate in North Carolina can be unusually dusty, especially in cities like Charlotte around March. Charlotte also has a high level of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a common air pollutant that can cause numerous respiratory infections.
So, to make sure you navigate safely through the summer with minimal respiratory distress, here’s what you need to do:
1. Ensure the Air Filters are Clean and the Right Size
Air filters get dirty right away. This is because they consistently trap dust and air pollutants that gradually accumulate in the pores. Consequently, you will notice that the air pressure has significantly reduced, and the air conditioner cannot operate at maximum efficiency.
So clean out the air filters by brushing them thoroughly, followed by a power wash.
Likewise, your ac unit needs the right air filter to trap all minute dust particles. All HVAC air filters are rated according to the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV).
This system informs you how effective the air filters are in doing their job. MERV 8 Filters are ideal in capturing about 84% of particles that are roughly 0.3 and 10 microns, enough to keep the air crispy and fresh.
Note – Most houses have filters with a MERV rating between 8 and 13.
2. Consult A Professional
Sometimes your ac may have an internal problem instead of an external one. The condenser may leak, or the fan might be broken; in such cases, it’s best to call a professional HVAC worker or an AC Repair expert and get your unit looked at.
These professionals can test your unit, look for defects in the cooling system and repair all the loose ends. An HVAC professional can also inform you if your ac unit is adequately cleaned or if you need to do a better job maintaining the filters.
Additionally, they can provide valuable tips in maintaining your ac unit, such as when to tell the filters are clogged or the drain leaks.
3. Pay Attention to the Air Conditioner’s Coils
The filters aren’t the only components that need cleaning; an ac unit also has two types of coils that get dirty and clogged over time. These were the condenser and the evaporator coil. Regarding the latter, a clean filter keeps the evaporator in good shape.
On the other hand, condenser coils are more prone to dust and particles since they remove heat from the refrigerant and release it into the atmosphere. As a result, there’s a high chance debris, pebbles, and foliage can get stuck into the unit, impacting the overall cooling.
So, ensure the area surrounding the condenser coil is clean and free from dirt and apparent foliage. It would help if you sweep the area biweekly, ensure that no debris collects around the condenser, and if there are trees or plants near the AC’s outdoor unit, keep them trimmed.
4. Know When It’s Time to Change the AC
Air conditioning units have a lifespan. Once they cross this threshold, you should change your current unit to a fresher model. Most air conditions start showing signs of deterioration after ten to fifteen years.
Their components may become rusty, or the appliance can no longer run effectively like it once could. Hence, if your ac unit is over ten to fifteen years old, it’s time to get a new one.
Furthermore, older air conditioning units are a significant environmental hazard. These appliances add to air pollution instead of reducing it. Most older models use a biohazard refrigerant called R22, which is not found in most new models.
On the other hand, new ACs use more eco-friendly refrigerants and consume much less power to cool your house. But, if you can’t afford a new air conditioner, you may want to change the type of refrigerant you’re using and get a better evaporator coil to achieve the desired temperature.
5. Switch Over To A Smart Thermostat
Smart homes are a trending topic in the twenty-first century. From voice-controlled lights to smart thermostats, digitization has taken over everyone’s lives, where smart devices make life convenient.
These tools can drastically reduce electricity consumption and help you look after your house well. This is why investing in a smart thermostat can revolutionize how you use your ac. If you’re intrigued by smart thermostats, try learning their pros and cons before purchasing.
A Smart thermostat can automatically provide the air conditioning unit feedback on the atmospheric temperature, which allows it to reduce itself accordingly. In this manner, you don’t have to change the temperature on the thermostat consistently, and your house stays cold throughout the day.
6. Make Sure No Air Escapes The Room
If you aren’t keeping the windows closed and the door shut when you switch on the AC, chances are the room will never cool, and you’ll need to run the unit longer. Cool air tends to leak out fast. Hence, if the air has a margin to escape, it will. When you switch on the AC, try to stay in one room or keep the windows closed so that air circulates uniformly.
You can also go the extra mile and check the insulation between the walls to ensure they’re not damaged or moldy; likewise, if your budget allows you to apply weather-stripping around the door and near the windows.
You can also pull up the curtains to prevent sunlight from seeping in. UV rays can heat the room and force your ac unit to work overtime to keep the cool air circulating.
Conclusion
Looking after an ac unit is hard work. Like any appliance, you have to take care of an air conditioner to ensure it’s working at its maximum efficiency without going overboard.
To do so, ensure your ac unit is thoroughly cleaned, and the filters are adequately replaced. It would help if you extended this attention to the coils and confirmed they’re clean and debris-free for effective cooling.
If you need help with what to do, consider hiring an HVAC expert to care for your air conditioner.
Other tips include isolating cold air by insulating every room and shutting the windows. If you have the budget to spare, purchase a new ac unit after the old one has run its course, and if your ac can be integrated into a smart system, switch to an automatic thermostat.
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