Getting Your A/C Ready For Summer

Having an air conditioning unit that's running at peak efficiency can decrease energy costs by as much as 20 percent.  However, if the unit is not properly maintained, your bills and run-times will likely skyrocket.  By taking the proper precautions during the months leading up to summer, you'll lower your energy bills and turn your house into a more comfortable home environment with healthier surroundings.  

In preparation for the summer heat, follow these simple steps to ensure the A/C is completely functional and efficient. 

1. Change the Filters

At least once a month, be sure to check the air filters in your home and change or clean them as needed.  Whether your A/C model comes with a disposable filter or not, it's very important that you make this cleaning part of your routine on a monthly basis. 

2. Check and Clean the Outdoor Unit

Also known as a condenser, your home's outdoor unit should be well-maintained and checked for debris regularly.  Before cleaning though, always remember to turn off the thermostat.  Then, gently clean the coil from the fins using a brush or clean cloth.  Do this with as little force as possible so the fins are not bent.  taking these precautions will prevent plant growth, debris or glass clippings from clogging and damaging your unit.  After everything is said and done, you'll end up with significantly reduced resistance within the outdoor unit.  

3. Maintain Outdoor Unit's Fan Belts 

Within your outdoor air conditioning unit, you'll find important pieces of hardware that are responsible for ensuring that your A/C unit runs efficiently- fan belts.  These fan belts play a large role in lowering your energy bills, and are easily found at your local home improvement store.  Unless you want a big hole in your wallet, it's crucial that you inspect the outdoor unit's fan belts on a regular basis and replace or re-adjust them as often as necessary. 

4. Indoor Ductwork Upkeep

Since your home's ductwork is located inside the walls and ceiling away from plain view, we highly encourage you to hire a professional instead of tackling indoor duct cleaning all on your own.  You can, however, keep the ducts dry by removing registers and wiping whichever part of the duct is visible, and inspect for any water damage.  Ductwork should always be kept clean and dry because once moisture accumulates, water damage or mold and fungus growth can occur.  If you ever find yourself in that type of predicament, call a professional right away.  Do not try to repair the issue on your own! 

5.  Schedule Seasonal A/C Tune-Up

Before summer is in full swing, we encourage you to get everything checked out by a professional to ensure your A/C is in complete working order.  By maintaining, upgrading or repairing your air conditioning system by an expert, you'll prevent larger issues from developing down the road.  

The Real Estate Book Volume 29 Issue 3