Nothing quite compares to the sweet relief of a cool home after a hot, sweaty afternoon of work. But just like any other type of appliance or mechanical system in your home, the air conditioning takes some work to keep it running smoothly. In fact, there are several small air conditioning repairs you can do on your own. Here is a short list of tasks you should do before turning on your A/C unit this summer:
1. Change the Filters
A dirty filter will reduce efficiency and eventually be the death of your air conditioning. That is why you should install a new filter every four to six weeks, especially during peak usage. So find out what size you need and keep a few extra filters on hand to help get you through the summer months. Also, check the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). This ranges from 1 to 12, and the higher the number, the better filtration you get. But keep in mind, that higher filtration also means the air conditioner has to work harder to pull the air through it. So when buying a filter, try and balance energy costs and air-quality concerns.
2. Seal off Air Leaks
You can lose up to 30 percent of airflow through window and door leaks. To test for leaks simply use the “smoke test.” Shut all the doors and windows and turn on the exhaust fans in the house. Light a stick of incense and trace it around your window and door units. If the smoke pulls towards you, you have a leak and will want to repair it as soon as possible. Duct leaks are also a concern. You can perform the same test around duct connections for your central air, and use foil tape (not the same as duct tape) to seal off any small gaps.
3. Upgrade Your Thermostat
You want your home cool when you get home from work, but there is also no reason to blast the A/C while you are not around. The best solution is to upgrade to a programmable or smart thermostat. This air conditioning repair lets you maintain better control and efficiency. Now, don’t turn the unit completely off when you are away. Instead set it to about 80 degrees when you are not home, and about 75 degrees when you are. You can choose to even have the unit kick on about 30 minutes before you get home, so the house is already cool when you get there.
4. Insulation
To keep the air cool you want to warp the ducts in hot crawl spaces or attics. You can use spray foam, rigid foam insulation, or batt insulation. But if you use rigid foam or batt insulation, seal it with foil tape first.
5. Keep Compressor Clear
You want to keep about 24 inches of clear space around the compressor and condenser in all directions. So if necessary, get rid of shrubs, tall grass, leaves, and weeds growing nearby. This will improve airflow and help your air conditioning run more efficiently.
Get Professional Air Conditioning Repair
Sometimes you need professional help for servicing and maintaining your air conditioning that goes beyond filters. In fact, you need to get your air conditioner professionally serviced once a year in San Jose, CA to keep it in top shape. Call (669) 219-8957 or visit us at 1045 N 10th St., San Jose, CA 95112.
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