Functioning air conditioning systems are a necessity during the muggy Oklahoma summer. Not only is it uncomfortable to lose AC during the hottest season of the year, but it can also be dangerous for young children or the elderly population.
If losing AC during the summer concerns you, or you want to save some money on your energy bill, keep reading to learn more about our helpful summer HVAC tips. Here are seven useful hints on how to keep your AC unit running smoothly throughout the hottest months of the year.
1. Get Annual Maintenance Appointments
HVAC systems need regular maintenance, just like cars and other machinery. If you allow your unit to build up dirt or fail to replace certain parts when they wear and/or break down, you could create a more expensive problem than if you had treated it early on.
Depending on how often you run your AC unit, you should get your air conditioning serviced at least once a year. If you run your AC or HVAC system for more than four or five months out of the year, you should schedule bi-annual maintenance.
You can hire Bixby’s reliable HVAC services for yearly maintenance appointments. Our company can catch problems early on and thus suggest cheaper repair options. We strive to advise our customers on affordable maintenance to ensure the units run for years to come.
2. Fire Up Your Unit Before Summer Begins
You should always start your unit about a month before you need it. This will help you determine if you need to schedule an AC tune-up ahead of time. If your unit makes strange noises, produces weird smells, leaks, cycles on and off, or any other abnormal symptoms, you should contact a maintenance service.
By catching a problem before the summer season begins, you put less stress on your unit and ensure that your AC is ready to go when temperatures start to rise.
3. Clean the Vents and Outdoor Unit
HVAC units can easily become clogged by dust and debris. They can also cycle dirty air throughout your home if not properly cleaned, thus lowering your air quality significantly. Both problems can cause reduced efficiency of your unit and affect your health.
AC units have an outdoor component that requires regular cleaning. Many important parts that help your air conditioner run are located in the outside unit, such as condenser coils, compressors, and a fan.
When the outdoor unit becomes blocked with debris, it can cause the system to malfunction. Keeping this part clean and cutting any grass or weeds that grow around it can significantly reduce the risk of glitching.
You should also consider hiring professional cleaning services for indoor units, outdoor components, vents, and ductwork. These parts connect to create an AC system, meaning that the dust and debris from one part can affect the entire structure.
4. Close the Blinds
Closing the blinds is one of our most recommended energy savings tips. You should always shut the blinds in parts of the house where there is a lot of sun. UV rays can quickly heat up rooms within your house, which will cause your AC unit to work harder to cool temperatures down.
By closing the blinds, you are not only blocking the UV rays, but you are also providing your windows with added insulation. Hot air can easily slip through any cracks or poorly insulated window openings, and blinds can help block out the heat.
5. Set a Higher Thermostat Temperature
We all love to set our thermostat temperature lower than necessary. There’s nothing like being hit with a refreshing wave of cool air when entering the house in the summertime. However, we can all comfortably turn up the thermostat a couple of degrees.
By turning up the temperature slightly, you will save a significant amount on your energy bills every month. You can also use fans to help cycle the cool air around the house or install a ductless mini-unit in rooms where you prefer a lower temperature. Both options will help you save a lot of money.
You should also turn up your thermostat seven to ten degrees more than what you usually put it at while you’re not at home. All you have to do is turn it back down as soon as you enter the house.
This is one of the easiest summer HVAC tips to complete, as it will put less stress on your unit and save you money.
6. Change the Filter
Air filters are an essential component of any AC or HVAC system, helping catch dirt that could filter through the system via the interior unit. When air filters become too full or the pleats bunch up, it can cause major damage to the unit.
Though many maintenance tips demonstrate varying opinions on how often you should change the air filter, the average period is every one to three months. You should also attempt to buy cheaper filters with thinner fabric as they are less likely to restrict airflow.
7. Replace the Thermostat
Finally, you can replace an old thermostat with new technology. You can now purchase a “smart thermostat,” which you can connect to your phone and set to change temperatures when you are at home or work.
This is an excellent option for anyone who needs a new thermostat or doesn’t want the hassle of constantly switching the temperature when you’re at home or away.
Contact an HVAC Maintenance Company Near Glenpool, OK
After you complete these summer HVAC tips in your home, contact Quality Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing for a maintenance appointment. If you’d like to learn more about how often to service your HVAC and why it’s necessary, check out our blog!
We are a family-owned business permitted to provide high-quality HVAC services to all our customers. Our location serves Bixby, OK, and the surrounding areas. Call us at 918-518-5900 to schedule your first maintenance or repair appointment today.