It never fails. A heat wave is covering the Oklahoma City area and the air conditioner in your home begins blowing out warm air or stops working entirely. Along with hundreds of other people in our town, you reach for the phone to call your HVAC specialist, and wait out the heat until relief arrives. While not all A/C problems can be prevented, here are a few tips that can be used to reduce the likeliness of this happening to you this summer.
Ensure Maximum Air Flow
To work properly, your air conditioner needs to pull air through the system, including recirculating air inside your home. If the air flow is blocked in any way, it can cause problems in your unit. To guarantee great air flow, make sure to keep the area clear around the vents - indoors and outside. This includes trimming back vegetation and cleaning dirt away from vents.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is an easy addition to help lower your energy expenses and control the temperature of your Oklahoma City area home. Adjust the temperature of your home to run less when you are at work or school, and automatically increase to a desired temperature when you are actually in the home.
In addition, program your thermostat for lengthier run-cycles. While this does not necessary prevent problems, it can help lower humidity in your Oklahoma City area home. This can give you a more comfortable environment, plus keep mold spores from thriving in your home.
Keep Pests at Bay
Many bugs and pests are drawn to A/C units, which can be damaging if they get inside the system. To keep ants and other pests away, use an eco-friendly pesticide around the exterior of the unit to keep them from “bugging” your air conditioner.
Stay Level
Most outdoor A/C units are positioned on a concrete slab or other platform, allowing them a level base of operation. However, the weight of the unit and ground moisture can cause your unit’s platform to sag or sink, hindering the performance of the air conditioner. Check on your outdoor component to make sure that the base continues to stay level.
Of course, regular maintenance, such as lubrication and filter changes, are very important to keep your air conditioner operating as it should. Try to schedule annual maintenance service before the summer starts to ensure your system is ready to face the hot days ahead. Following these suggestions, you may be able to avoid A/C problems and have a stress-free and climate controlled home all summer.