As summer heats up, keeping your home cool and comfortable becomes a top priority. An efficient, well-running air conditioner not only ensures your home has a pleasant indoor environment but also helps reduce your energy bill. Win and win. Here, the Comfort Zone Services team offers seven tips to help you get the most out of your air conditioner this summer.
1. Annual Maintenance is Key
First step? Regularly schedule professional maintenance on the calendar every year, preferably before the weather heats up. That said, if summer hits and you haven’t had your air conditioner maintenance service, there’s still time! Our licensed heating and air conditioning experts in London, Ontario, pride ourselves on prompt response times and quick service.
What does an air conditioner maintenance check look like? Our professional technicians will inspect and clean your unit, including checking for any potential issues that might require repair. Regular maintenance helps prolong the lifespan of your air conditioner, maintaining its efficiency and potentially reducing your energy bill in the long run.
2. Keep Your Filters, Vents and Coils Clean
Air conditioner filters play an important role in making sure you have clean airflow throughout your home. They also help in maintaining the efficiency and performance of your unit. Whether you have a ductless air conditioner, a removable wall air conditioner, or central air, keeping your filters clean is a simple, low-cost DIY that’s quick and easy.
Depending on the type of air conditioner you have and your usage, clean your filters every one to three months by vacuuming, rinsing, and drying them. And remember to replace them every few years.
And your vents? Central air conditioners rely on ducts and vents to distribute cooled air. Vacuum your vents to avoid dust and debris build-up. You want to keep your air flowing freely through your house. In contrast, dirty or clogged filters can restrict airflow, causing your air conditioner to work harder, potentially affecting energy efficiency and cost.
Like your professional air conditioner service, keep on track with your cleaning by scheduling it. A maintenance hack for the filter? Write the date on it when replacing it so you know when it needs replacing.
3. Regularly Clean the Coils
The coils in your air conditioner, both the evaporator and condenser coils, can collect dirt over time. Dirty coils reduce your A/C’s ability to cool your home and cause it to work harder, increasing energy consumption. You can regularly clean these coils using a suitable air conditioner cleaner, although we recommend checking with your Comfort Zone Services expert first. Professional air conditioner maintenance services typically include coil cleaning.
4. Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can help distribute cool air more evenly throughout your home. Using fans along with your air conditioner means you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher and still feel comfortable. Fans help circulate the cool air, reducing the workload on central air conditioners, ductless air conditioners, or wall air conditioners. Check that your ceiling fan runs counterclockwise in summer to direct airflow downward and prevent hotter air from rising to signal your air conditioner to turn on. This combined approach increases energy efficiency and helps in reducing your energy bills.
5. Seal and Insulate Your Home
Proper insulation and sealing of your windows, doors, and other areas of your home will prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering your home. In the cooler seasons, check for drafts and seal any gaps with weatherstripping or caulking. Insulating your home well can make a difference in how efficiently your air conditioning system operates in the warmer months, helping keep your home consistently cool and reducing the strain on your air conditioner.
6. Keep Heat-Producing Appliances Away
You might be surprised to learn this, but we’re going to say it: keep heat-producing appliances like lamps, TVs, and computers away from your thermostat. These appliances can cause your thermostat to read a higher temperature, making your air conditioner work harder than necessary. We also suggest not using heat-generating appliances like ovens and dryers during the hottest parts of the day. Instead, opt for cooler cooking methods or use these heat-generating appliances during the evening to maintain a cooler indoor temperature.
7. Keep the Area Around Clear
Inside and outside, it’s essential to keep the space around your air conditioner reasonably clear and accessible. Outside, debris, plants, tall grasses or weeds can block airflow or even blow into your air conditioner unit and make it dirty. These can also block airflow, preventing your air conditioner from working at its best. Inside, avoid blocking air flow from vents or ductless air conditioners with furniture or clutter. You also want your air conditioners to be easily accessible for your Comfort Zone Services air conditioner maintenance or service — and for your own cleaning throughout the year.
Don’t Sweat It! Your London Air Conditioner Experts Have You Covered
As your licensed heating and air conditioner experts serving London, Ontario, our skilled technicians are here to help you enjoy a cool, comfortable summer at home. We offer free estimates and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Plus 0% financing if needed.
Contact Comfort Zone Services to schedule your air conditioner maintenance or repair needs. We’ll respond ASAP!