Air Conditioning for Beginners: 5 Things You Need to Know

There is nothing like a nice, cool home after a hot and sweltering day. Your heating and cooling systems can provide relief from the heat, but what do you do when you are in need of a repair? In order to prevent a HVAC contractor from paying you a visit unless it’s absolutely necessary, here are five things you need to know about your air conditioning unit.

1. The air filter requires regular changing.

A dirty air filter will compromise the efficiency of your system, so it is important to change your filter once every month. This will ensure dirt, dust, and allergens aren’t swirling around in your home. A good tip is to write the date you change the filter on it in pencil, and when you cannot see the date anymore, it is time for a new one.

2. Fix leaks before they wreak havoc on your wallet.

Making sure all of your air conditioner’s ducts are sealed properly can be tricky, as they are all over the house, but it’s important to do so. Airflow losses through leaky ducts can cause your bill to skyrocket, so if you are noticing an unexplained hike in your bill, make sure to call an air conditioning repair service right away to get to the bottom of your problem.

3. Use a timer on your thermostat.

There is no need to have your air on full blast when you are gone for the day. Investing in a timer is great, because then you will be able to cut down on unnecessary costs and still have a nice cool house to come home to. It is important to not shut off your system completely unless you will be out of your home for a long time, as the air compressor will have to work harder to cool down your house if it starts from scratch.

4. The more insulation you use, the better.

Spray foam, batting, and rigid-form insulation are all good options that will keep the cold air inside where it belongs.

5. Regular maintenance is important.

All in all, air conditioners cost American homeowners more than $11 billion every year. Regular maintenance of your air conditioning unit will keep it running efficiently, and this includes inspecting coils, adjusting fan belts, lubricating motors, and checking fans. An HVAC systems specialist is able to do all of this for you while verifying that your system works efficiently.

Your air conditioning unit needs some TLC to work properly. Just follow these tips and you will be cool as a cucumber.