Is Your Air Conditioner Summer Ready?

by Jessica Jones

Jan 20, 2023 3 minute read

Is Your Air Conditioner Summer Ready?

It’s getting warm out there and your air conditioner is calling your name. But, as we all know, similar to boilers and radiators, running the A/C can cost a lot of money! Fortunately, there are ways to help you keep the utility bills low while keeping yourself cool.

Don’t Leave the A/C on Full Blast

Electricity is what you are paying for here when you use an air conditioner. So, if you force your A/C to go at full blast, whether it’s at intervals or all day long, you’re actually putting pressure on your unit that will shorten both its efficiency and its life span. The strain of being turned off and then back on again at full blast will cost you more money in electricity and maintenance in the long run. You may be surprised – but it is a much efficient way to do it if you leave your A/C on all day at a low setting. temperature.

Now, the age of the appliance does matter. For example, if you own a central A/C system that hasn’t been updated for 20 years, then it’s definitely inefficient when it comes to energy and costs compared to a recently updated one. In this case, you should not turn on your A/C during a heat wave (that’s too late)! Turn it on all day at a low setting would be much more efficient.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

Upgrade your thermostat to a digital (programmable) thermostat will save you time, energy and money during the summer. Independent studies have shown a 10-15% reduction on the average bill when using a smart thermostat (e.g., Nest). A smart thermostat allows you to set to the desired temperature at all times. Some come with their own app on your phone or other devices, so that you can adjust the temperature wherever you are.

Change the Filter

Getting a bit more technical now! This one is about DIY maintenance. Obviously, keeping the unit clean can make a real difference in both costs and your energy usage. The filter is the lungs of your air conditioner, so you don’t want it to build up with dust, dirt, and debris. If it gets too bad, your coils will start to get dirty too, leading to condensation and freeze. So, change your filter regularly. Investing in more eco-friendly products or upgrading your A/C is also a good idea.

Remove Debris, Unclog Your Vents and Clear the Drainage

This one is about the air quality you breathe in as well as the wellbeing of the unit. As the weather gets warmer, your A/C “sweats” more. This excess condensation should collect outside and evaporate – that is, if nothing is clogging the drainage. If the drain is blocked, the water will begin to collect inside your A/C closet. Why is that so bad? Well, once this small container is filled, it will trigger a switch to shut off the unit automatically.

The outdoor condenser unit also needs looking after. Leaves and debris will find their way into that condenser very quickly and once it is blocked, it makes the unit run harder and hotter, causing higher energy usage and even a potential electrical fire hazard.

Therefore, you should do maintenance regularly throughout the year and not just before the summer. Do a thorough job of clearing out leaves and twigs. Use a wet-dry vacuum to suck up any debris on the outside drain as well as the inside drain pipe. Open all your supply vents in each room and clean them properly.

Update Your Windows Slightly

If you keep feeling hot when standing next to a window (or vice versa, feeling cold when standing next to the window in winter), chances are there’s a tiny hole somewhere and you may need to get it fixed. Caulking can seal any holes where cool air in the summer or hot air in the winter can leak out. If you are not sure how to do that yourself, seek help from a professional. Click here to find a FixlersPro in your area.

Another trick to staying cooler is to use film to tint your windows. This will make the room darker, minimizing the heat rise caused by the sun. You can find these films for windows at homeware stores or online shops, and then apply them yourself.

Want to Upgrade Your Air Conditioner?

A new A/C system or unit may seem expensive at first, but when you add together the cost of maintenance, repairs for a constantly failing unit, and the energy usage, it makes more sense to upgrade. Our technicians at Fixlers can install new A/C systems for you, so that you can stay cool this summer while keeping costs low. Contact us today: 888-683-8483 or make a booking by downloading our app via this link: https://www.fixlers.com/