Monday, July 7, 2014

5 Air Conditioning Tips Before Summer Begins

With summer soon to be here everyone is starting to get ready for the ever rising temperatures. Even though many of us have been waiting for warmer weather to arrive, when it finally does we quickly remember just how hot it can get!

So how can you get ready for the overbearing heat that is soon to be upon us?

You can start with your air conditioning. You don't want to feel oppressed by temperatures that are as hot as they are out site. Running your air conditioner can be expensive, to help you to keep it running as efficiently as possible we've compiled these 5 simple tips.

By following them you can help to keep your air conditioner running in top performance through the hot summer months.
  1. Clean or Replace Your Air Filters The air handler of your air conditioner has filters that fill up with debris and dust over time. As a result the machine runs less efficiently, which makes it both more expensive to run, and also less effective. Fortunately there is a simple solution to this, clean or replace your filters. In addition to saving you money, and keeping your unit running better, clean filters also prevent dust and allergens from recirculating in your home.
  2. Check Your Coolant Lines: There are refrigerant pipes that run from the evaporator to the air handler and into the condenser on your air conditioner. In order to help save energy these lines are normally wrapped insulation. When you check your coolant lines makes sure that you look for missing, frayed, or damaged insulation. If you find any of these then you should either replace your insulation or wrap your lines in insulation tape.
  3. Maintain Your Plants: Make sure that you take the time to trim any plants and bushes around your air conditioner. Your air conditioner needs at least 12 inches of clearance in order to allow air to flow freely to and from it. Although this might seem like a silly tip, the fact is that many homeowners allow shrubbery to become overgrown, this impacting the efficiency of their unit.
  4. Keep Your Pets Away From The Unit Dogs like to mark their territory. Unfortunately if your beloved dog decides that your air conditioner is theirs then the urine can be very damaging to it. Urine contains corrosive acid that over time will damage your air conditioner. So make sure that you keep your air conditioner clean, and make sure that your dog keeps their distance.
  5. Make Sure That Annual Maintenance Is A Priority! Finally, the last thing you need to do is to make sure that your air conditioner is professionally serviced every year. A professional can clean your unit, and make sure that everything is in proper working order. While it's fine to take on some minor maintenance issues on your own, but if you want to get the most out of your machine call in the professionals!
Contact Comfort Professionals today about your air conditioning maintenance or repair at (703) 368-6204.
We service such areas as Bristow, Haymarket and Gainesville, VA and all of Northern Virginia.

Get the most out of your A/C with a Filter Change

Having an air conditioner installed in the home is an ideal way to deal with harsh climatic conditions. Simultaneously, maintaining these machines is a must when it comes to ensuring that the air conditioner works at its full capacity for a long span.
Changing the air conditioner is an ideal way of achieving this goal. Changing the filter will ensure that your A/C unit cools your home faster than when it is clogged with debris from a dirty filter. Not changing the filter for a long time can also accelerate the wear and tear of the compressor and it may eventually need to be replaced. The third reason for changing is that inefficient cooling systems often adds surplus waste to the environment and that could to greenhouse gas emissions.
There are few things you need to consider when changing in the air conditioner filter.
How often should you change? An ideal scenario would be to change the filter every month depending on the usage and the different factors that control a home. If your house has a lot of dust then it is advisable to change the filter every month.
  • Types of Air Conditioning Filters: Pleated Filters: They help you get rid of all airborne impurities in your home. These filters should be changed every month.
  • Electrostatic Filters: They are ideal in dealing with different kinds of waste and prevent foul smell from entering your house.
  • High Efficiency Filters: They are believed to be the most effective of all filter systems. They can prevent almost 99% particles (having a diameter less than a human hair) from polluting your home.
Hire the right air conditioning repair company.
Working with a true professional like Comfort Professionals will ensure your air conditioning system has the correct filter or any other repair. Contact us today for your air conditioning repairs (703) 368-6204
We service such areas as Bristow, Gainesville, Haymarket and all of Northern Virginia.

On Maintaining Your HVAC Unit after the Winter: Keep It Functional

The harshest winter in recent memory has finally ended. People can now take off their jackets and gloves to look forward to the warmer tempe...