The dog days of summer are on their way, and your air conditioner needs to be ready to combat the heat. Throughout the summer, your air conditioner is working hard to keep the temperature down so you can live comfortably. Although the cost of your utility bills will increase during these months, air conditioning is needed, especially on the scorching hot days. Air Conditioner Repair San Antonio Just like your car, air conditioners need regular services to make sure that they are running efficiently and there no repairs need to be carried out. There are a lot of homeowners who neglect their AC systems, and they leave small problems to evolve into a huge problem, like needing a new AC installation.
Three reasons why your AC may break down
It has not been prepared for the summer Before summer hits, your air conditioner should have had a maintenance check. It’s best to get these done in the springtime to ensure that when summer comes, you can turn on your air conditioner, and it’s not going to break down when you need it the most. Getting a maintenance check towards the end of spring means if you do need a repair, you have enough time to get the problem sorted before the hot days begin to kick in. With regular maintenance, your air conditioner can last you for up to ten years. There are many components within your unit, and they all need each other to perform correctly. If one piece is damaged, without repair, it can affect to a lot of the other parts too. If all of the components are failing, then not only will your air conditioner be performing poorly, but it’s also never going to get you through the summer, and it will most likely break down. Getting a professional technician in to perform a maintenance check is the most obvious way to prepare your AC for the summer, but there are also things that you can do yourself to help even more:
● You can change or clean out the air filters in your unit.
This is one of the most important tasks when it comes to ensuring the efficiency of your AC. These should be changed or cleaned every month, but if you have dogs or cats, you may need to clean or replace them more often. Air filters prevent any debris, dirt or contamination from entering your AC unit and from being blown out into your home through the airflow. They ensure that the air is a lot more pure, and if you allow them to get clogged up with dirt, it can block the normal airflow.
● The drain line takes the condensation from the inside of the AC unit to the outside. You should check the drain line, as if it is clogged, it can cause water damage inside of your home. To stop the drain line from clogging, get a cup of ordinary household bleach and pour it into the drain line from the inside.
● You can clean the outside unit of your air conditioner as it’s important that there is no debris, leaves or grass cuttings covering it as this can block the airflow. It’s getting close to its retirement Over the years, your air conditioner works hard so of course, one day, it’s going to have to retire. They take a lot of wear and tear and like a lot of things, and they get to the point where nothing else can be done for them. If your AC is around 10 – 15 years old, then it’s done its job well, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to you if it broke soon. Due to its age, it may be quite expensive to repair and after repairs, it still might not be as effective as it once was or as efficient as a new one.
If this is the case for you, it’s worth considering that it might be the time for an AC replacement. When it comes to getting a new air conditioner, you don’t want your old one to break and leave you without one at all. You’ll be rushing around trying to find a new air conditioner that’s right for you, a technician to install it and more. It can be hard to replace something that hasn’t broken yet as a lot of people think it could have gotten you through a few more summers and it’s a waste.
As things like AC systems get old, when they are going to break on you isn’t predictable. That’s why it’s best to plan ahead. If your air conditioner is over 10 years old, you’ve gotten your money’s worth out of it. It’s certainly worth considering a new air conditioner as if your old one was to break during the dog days of summer, as you’d have to endure the heat with no AC help.
Another good reason to get a new AC unit before summer comes is that buying an air conditioner out of season is often a lot cheaper than buying one during the summer. It has overheated When air conditioners overheat, they will usually trip the circuit breaker. If this ever happens to you, don’t just go and switch it back on. The whole reason it turned off in the first place is that its job is to protect your home. It shuts off the flow of electricity when the current gets too high. If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, then something is wrong. If the switch has tripped because of your AC overheating, if you keep turning the switch back on, your air conditioner will keep overheating. This can result in your air conditioner breaking down.
Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature If your air conditioner isn’t working to its full potential, it may need some repairs, so call in a professional technician to resolve the problem. To keep your air conditioner from over working during the hot summer or if your air conditioner has broken down and you need some cooling alternatives, you can do some things at home to help:
● Keep blinds, shutters and shades closed when you can. Windows let a lot of heat through so having the windows covered will keep your home shaded and cooler.
● Try and reduce the use of appliances that generate or give off heat. For example, the kettle, oven, microwave, etc. Of course, you can’t stop using these completely, but by reducing the use of them, it will help in keeping your home cooler.
● Use fans. Although fans don’t make the temperature any cooler, because they circulate the air, they can make your home feel more comfortable. Don’t use the fans in rooms that aren’t being occupied though as it’s a waste of energy.
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