Longer-Lasting A/Cs: Tips from Your Local Air Conditioning Contractor

In just a few short weeks, it’ll be summer here in Northern Virginia. Most residents are eagerly anticipating the abundant sunshine summer has in store, especially after one of the most brutal winters in recent memory. Eventually, however, you’ll eventually get weary of all the sun and heat, which probably means you’ll be heading back inside and turning up your air conditioners.

 

 Your A/C is an important part of your home’s heating and cooling system, especially during Virginia’s humid summers. With that in mind, you want to do everything you can to keep your A/C in top condition for as long as you can. Luckily, doing just that is easy enough. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Stay in the Shade

Most A/Cs have their bodies sticking out of the house. This means your unit has to work twice as hard to cool the air it blows into your home because its body is exposed to the heat outside. Make its job easier by planting a shrub or a tree to shade the exterior portion of your unit. Keep the foliage at least a foot and a half away from your unit though so that it doesn’t block airflow.

Hose it Down

Ideally, you should clean out your A/C’s filters every month, although how often you should depends on the type of filter your unit uses. If you use HEPA or electrostatic filters, you can easily clean them by taking them outside and hosing them down at medium pressure. Dust and debris are sure to come off in no time.

Aside from these tips, make sure you have an experienced air conditioning contractor service your unit once a year. Pros can help spot and fix warning signs before they become huge headaches. Ideally, this should be done during the last few weeks of spring.

AC Problems? What to Do before Calling an Air Conditioning Contractor

As the days get warmer, you turn to your trusty air conditioner to keep your home as comfortable as possible. In this time, you should also start thinking about what to do in case it acts up and breaks down – and yes, if you use it every day for the next 4-5 months (especially with little maintenance), it is very likely to get worn out. When your AC breaks down, there are a few things you can do before calling an air conditioning contractor, as a sort of first-aid effort before the pros come.

Insufficient Cooling

If the AC doesn’t seem to efficiently cool their home without taking a lot of time and power, many people look to replacement as the only option. However, it might be as simple as a tripped circuit breaker, which you can solve by resetting it. Of course, this problem can also stem from a unit that’s filled with too much dust and dirt to function properly.
 

Noises during Startup

Whenever you turn on your AC, can you hear a strange humming, rattling or even banging noise from the unit? If so, check the equipment for any loose screws or fittings, and be sure to tighten them accordingly until there’s no more noise the next time you start your AC. A more pressing problem in this case, that needs nothing less than professional attention, is if the cause is a busted or worn blower motor.

Inefficient Cooling

Does your AC turn itself off before you can even feel cool enough for comfort? In this case, your thermostat might have been placed somewhere it shouldn’t be, like in the path of direct sunlight or too much heat that could affect the way it reads the temperature of the room. Be sure to relocate the thermostat somewhere this wouldn’t be a problem. If you notice problems with your AC unit that you couldn’t seem to solve on your own, it might be time to call on efficient heating and air conditioning services from contractors in Gainesville, VA.