Tips to keep your cooling unit running strong
Upon the arrival of the dog days of summer, few things can be as welcoming as a cool home. Air conditioned interior spaces offer a much-needed respite from summer heat, but that relief is not guaranteed. Indeed, a summer heat wave can be just as taxing on an HVAC unit as it can be on people. But some simple pre- and in-season maintenance tips can go a long way toward ensuring an HVAC unit provides ample relief once the mercury rises.
鈥� Replace the air filter. Prior to summer, replace the filter on your HVAC unit. Doing so ensures dust, dirt, and allergens won’t affect the efficiency of the unit. An inefficient HVAC unit will make it harder to cool the home, and that may force the unit to work harder, which in turn can lead to a higher energy bill.
鈥� Don’t forget the condenser. The condenser is the unit on the outside of your home. Over time, debris from the landscape, including dirt, grass, and leaves, can get inside the condenser and potentially affect the performance of the unit. While it’s inevitable that some landscape debris will get into the condenser, routine checkups and removal of debris can ensure that the buildup is not excessive.
鈥� Lend a hand inside. For people who live in areas where summer can get especially hot, there may come a point in time when even the most well-maintained HVAC unit can use a hand. Homeowners can take certain steps during heat waves to improve the efficiency of their HVAC unit with an eye toward saving money and preventing the unit from overheating. Closing curtains and blinds during times of day when the heat is peaking or particular rooms in a home are drenched in sun can naturally lower the temperature inside a home, thus alleviating the burden on the HVAC system. Ceiling fans also can be employed while the air conditioner is running to circulate cool air more effectively. That can prevent the HVAC unit from working extra hard to cool the home.
鈥� Take a different approach to dinnertime. If you’re accustomed to turning on the stove each night at dinnertime, recognize that doing so will increase the interior temperature of your home. As the temperature inside increases, the air conditioner will work harder to keep interior spaces cool and comfortable. That can be taxing on the HVAC unit and lead to higher energy costs. When it comes to dinnertime during the dog days of summer, consider cold dishes like salads and/or grilling so the stove can stay off as much as possible.
Some simple maintenance tips and strategies can ensure an HVAC unit provides ample relief come the dog days of summer.