Summer may feel like it’s a long time off away. But before you know it, you’ll be transitioning from heating to cooling. Soon enough your air conditioner is running frequently to maintain cozy temperatures. It’s beneficial to be ready for the additional usage before temperatures get warmer.
Stark Services and our team of Experts can provide support. We’ve made our comprehensive air conditioning memberships to increase your system’s energy efficiency and reliability. Our professional experience goes a long way, but there are many other tasks you can do to protect your air conditioner. Here are four of the greatest ways you can get ready for air conditioning season.
1. Clean Your Air Conditioner
Don’t worry, you won’t have to disassemble your system and clean every piece. Our Experts handle this during your yearly air conditioning maintenance appointment.
But cleaning the surroundings around your air conditioner will go a long way also. We recommend:
- Clearing twigs, leaves and grass clippings from the outside of your air conditioner.
- Keeping nearby grass and plants clipped back.
- Maintaining at minimum 1 foot of free area on all sides around your air conditioner.
If your air conditioner’s fins get clogged with dirt or yard refuse, this can decrease performance and comfort. Your air conditioner will have to run more often to provide the same level of cool air. In severe cases, it might stop cooling altogether and need air conditioning repair.
Your comfort and satisfaction matter to us, so we want to minimize the need for repairs in the first place. A regularly serviced air conditioner usually cools more efficiently, is less likely to break down and often lasts longer.
2. Replace Your Air Filter
Regularly replacing your air filter is crucial for your air conditioner’s health. During a maintenance visit, our techs check filters and replace them if necessary. Installing a new filter is speedy and simple. You can (and should) do it on your own whenever!
How frequently you need to replace your filter depends on:
- The type of filter you use.
- If someone in your household has asthma, allergies or other respiratory issues.
- If you have pets.
Basic flat filters normally last for 30–60 days. Thicker pleated filters can last up to 90 days. If you don’t know if your filter requires replacement, take it out, and hold it up to the light. Put in a new one if you can’t see light through it.
Filters remove dust, pollen and other contaminants from your home’s air, keeping airflow fresh. Forgetting about it will lower your residence’s indoor air quality and your air conditioner’s efficiency.
In some situations a blocked filter could even damage your system or cause it to break down. Often replacing it will keep the inside of your air conditioner cleaner and airflow more consistent.
If someone in your household is dealing with allergies, asthma or other respiratory conditions, check with our Experts about how a HEPA filter can help.
3. Inspect Your Thermostat and Smoke Detectors
Now is a great time to check other critical components of your air conditioner and other safety systems.
If you use a programmable thermostat, ensure that it’s operating right. If the batteries are running out, replace them.
For additional control and convenience, think over getting a smart thermostat. They make conserving energy simpler. And a few models can even tell you if there’s a situation with your air conditioner or if your air filter needs to be changed.
Although they’re not part of your air conditioning system, now is a great time to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Confirming they’re still good delivers peace of mind and an additional layer of security.
4. Keep Heat Outside
One of the wisest ways to boost energy-efficient cooling is to decrease the concentration of outdoor heat seeping into your residence. Using quality window treatments such as blackout curtains, honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, can block the sun from impacting your home’s temperatures.
Here are several other ways to keep your residence cold without adjusting the thermostat:
- Turn on ceiling fans when you’re in the room.
- Turn on your bathroom fan to remove heat and humidity when you shower.
- Keep air vents uncovered to ensure proper airflow.
- Install caulk and weatherstripping to seal your doors and windows.
Depend on Stark Services for Professional Air Conditioning Maintenance
Our guide will help your air conditioner cool more efficiently this summer. But the smartest way you can increase efficiency is with air conditioning maintenance. Some pluses of this service include:
- Headache-free cooling.
- Possibly lower cooling costs.
- Likely lengthening your air conditioner’s life expectancy.
- Keeping your valuable manufacturer’s warranty valid.
Make sure your air conditioning is prepped for this summer! Call the heating and cooling Experts at Stark Services right away! Call us at 817-668-6689 to request your maintenance appointment or to learn more about our HVAC membership plans.