It never fails. Tulsa is experiencing record heat and the air conditioner in your home begins blowing out warm air or stops operating entirely. Along with hundreds of other people in our town, you pick up the phone to call your HVAC specialist, and suffer with the heat until they arrive. While not all A/C problems can be prevented, here are a few tips that can be used to minimize the possibility of this happening to you this summer.
Max-Out the Air Flow
To work properly, your air conditioner needs to pull air through the system, including recirculating air throughout the rooms of your home. If Air blockage or obstruction of any kind can end up translating to money out of pocket for you. To ensure your air conditioner has the air flow it needs, make sure to keep clear the immediate area around the vents - indoors and outside. This includes trimming back vegetation and cleaning dirt away from vents.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Beyond helping reduce energy costs by regulating your home’s temperature, programmable thermostats can also help minimize impact on your system. Program your air conditioner for warmer temperatures when the home is empty or at night when it cools down outside.
In addition, program your thermostat for longer run-cycles. We are not suggesting that this will prevent problems, it can help bring down the humidity in your Tulsa area home. This can provide a more comfortable environment, in addition to keep mold spores from developing in your home.
Get Rid of Any Pests
Some bugs and pests are attracted to central air units, which can be detrimental if they get inside the system. To keep ants and other pests away, use an eco-friendly pesticide around the base of the unit to keep them from “bugging” your air conditioner.
Stay Level
Nearly all outdoor A/C units are positioned on a concrete slab or other platform, permitting them a level base of operation. However, just like a home’s foundation, your A/C’s platform can also sink or settle into the ground, limiting the performance of the air conditioner. Check on your outdoor component to ensure that the base continues to stay level.
Obviously, regular maintenance, such as lubrication and filter changes, are also important to keep your air conditioner running smoothly. Call 918-212-8927 to schedule system maintenance review before the summer starts to ensure your system is ready to face the hot days ahead. Following these suggestions, you may be able to minimize A/C problems and have a stress-free and climate controlled home all summer.