As summer approaches full swing, you want to do all you can to keep energy bills low. Taking the time to inspect, care for and maintain your Florida air conditioning system can go a long way toward accomplishing that. It can also prevent you from needing costly repairs later on down the line and ensure you’re not stuck without AC during the hottest months of summer.
Here are some at-home tips you can follow to care for your Florida air conditioning unit and make sure you have the most comfortable, affordable summer yet:
- Regularly change out your air filter. Just like you change oil filters and air filters in your car, you need to change the filters in your AC unit.
- After a few months, filters get clogged by a buildup of dirt, grime, and dust, and this restricts the airflow. Ultimately, that leads to a less effective air conditioning unit and higher electric bills for your household. Make it a point to change out your unit’s filters at least every three months. This will keep it operating at top capacity.
- Check its cooling ability regularly. Head to the hardware store and buy a handheld airflow thermometer.
- Then, turn on the air conditioner and check the temperature of both the air in your home and the air coming out of the vents. If your Florida air conditioning system is working properly, there should be at least a 15 to 20-degree difference in the two numbers. If the disparity isn’t that big, it could mean you’re low on refrigerant or there’s some other issue at work in your unit, like a clogged filter or condenser coil, that’s keeping your machine from working as it should.
- Clean the outside of your unit monthly. The outside part of your AC system can easily get dirty and acquire a buildup of trash and debris, especially if you live in a windy area.
- Ultimately, this can clog up coils and filters, and it can keep your unit from cooling your home efficiently. To prevent this from happening, give your unit a monthly once-over cleaning. First, turn off power to the unit. Then, carefully sweep any leaves, grass, and debris away from the perimeter of it. After that, you can use a garden hose to gently spray the entire unit to remove any dirt, dust, or grime on the fins, condenser or coils.
- Care for your ducts. Your ducts are an integral part of your Florida air conditioning system. They’re what transport the cool air from your unit to each and every room in your house.
- Without clean, efficient ducts, even the best AC system is pretty much useless. To ensure your ducts are in prime condition, you can do two things. First, check it for leaks on a regular basis by turning on the AC and standing near the ducts. See if you can feel any cool air escaping, especially at the seams where two ducts connect. Typically, these types of leaks are most common with flexible ductwork, but they can develop in rigid ducts too. If you notice any leaks, simply use a few pieces of duct tape to block up the holes. Another way to ensure your ducts are doing their job to the best of their ability is to insulate them. Since most ducts run through the attic, they’re often subjected to extreme temperatures, which can wear them down faster than they should or reduce their efficiency. Consider insulating the ducts to protect them from these temperatures, and you’ll get much more use out of them in the long run.
Want to ensure your Florida air conditioning system is in top condition before the hot summer weather hits? Then call Air Zero. We offer comprehensive maintenance services to make sure your unit is operating as efficiently as possible. Call today to schedule an appointment.
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