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How to Get the Most Out of Your Air Conditioner

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With the summer in full swing, it’s time for people to get their air conditioning systems in order. To get the most out of the air conditioner this year, here are seven tricks that homeowners can use.

Clean the Condenser

Just as it’s important to clean out a dryer vent to prevent lint from clogging the system, debris needs to be cleaned out of the air conditioner’s condenser on a regular basis. Inspect the condenser looking for any trash, leaves, twigs, and other debris. Remove all of it. Then, clean the condenser with a garden hose, being careful not to damage the fins and other parts.

Strategically Close Vents

Opened vents allow cooled air to travel into the room. What about rooms that aren’t used on a regular basis? What about basements that are naturally cooler? Closing vents to these areas of the home can direct cooler air to the rooms where it should be, and this can also reduce utility bills, too.

Unblock Vents

Walk around the home to check all of the vents. If there is furniture blocking the vents, take the time to rearrange the layout. Make sure that air can freely flow through the room.

Keep the Unit On

On cooler summer days, some people are tempted to turn off their air conditioner. This can help them save money, right? Wrong. If they wait to turn their air conditioner on until it’s too warm, then the system will have to work harder to warm the home and remove excess humidity. Instead, leave the unit on, but turn it up to 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Have the Unit Serviced

Having a professional service the air conditioner can be a great way to ensure that nothing is wrong with it. Our professionals will look for any issues and find ways to repair them before they become a larger problem. This should be done when switching from the furnace to the air conditioner and then from the air conditioner back to the furnace. Regularly servicing the equipment helps to extend its life and ensure that it will stay in great condition for as long as possible.

Use Ceiling Fans

Using ceiling fans reduces the amount of energy used to cool the home. They also work to push the cool air back to the ground and draw hot air up so people can stay comfortable in their homes. Make sure that the ceiling fans are spinning the proper direction to ensure that they can help keep the home cool.

Regularly Replace the Filter

The HVAC filter is something that should be replaced every three months. It’s recommended to check it every month and make the replacements as necessary. Forgetting to replace the filter can cause the system to work harder to cool the home until the system ends up freezing over. To prevent this from happening, replace the filter and check it frequently.

Taking time to maintain your air conditioning systems is important to keep them working effectively throughout the spring and summer and ensuring that utility bills are as low as possible.

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