It’s June and yes, it’s been hot. Afternoons are simply sizzling, many hitting the upper eighties, some even touching on the nineties. Go outside at the wrong time of day and you can expect to be sweaty, sticky and sunburned. Nighttime isn’t much easier – sure, there’s an escape from the sun, but little respite from the warmth. As you know, year-round heat is just one of the joys of living in the Sunshine State.
Fun fact: It’s going to get even hotter.
Just last month we discussed how the increase in time many people are spending at home has highlighted the importance of properly maintaining household appliances to keep them up and running efficiently. While the mercury rises in the coming months, the same goes with caring for your A/C system. It’s true. A little love can go a long way in ensuring a comfortable summer for both you and your wallet – and it’s easier than you think.
Here are some simple, do-it-yourself ways to give you peace of mind and to help keep your HVAC running smoothly during the summer:
What’s your thermo-status? Is your thermostat outdated? You could save money and energy by installing a newer unit with programmable features.
Duct, duct… goose? Check any exposed ductwork for wear, which could be a source of cooling loss or inefficiency in your home.
Time to vent. Inspect all the air vents around your home. Remove any items that could block airflow, such as drapes, furniture or toys.
Rinse and repeat. If your air handler is accessible, check the drain line. If you flush one cup of chlorine bleach down your air conditioning drain and rinse it with a gallon of water, you can keep your drain clear through the summer. Air conditioner drain lines become clogged when there is a build-up of dirt collected by the indoor coil. If your line is clogged and you’re not comfortable flushing it out, call a professional.
FILTER! We’re beginning to think we should change the name of our blog to the Change Your Filter Blog since we mention it so frequently. It’s just so important that it’s worth mentioning over and over. Your filter should be changed at least every other month – and definitely before the start of a busy cooling season.
Cool line, bro. Check your coolant lines. These are the pipes or tubes running from the condenser to the inside of the house. These should be completely covered with foam insulation sleeves or insulation tape to avoid energy loss. Proper insulation will improve the efficiency of the system. If needed, any repairs to the insulation or refrigerant lines should be done by a professional.
Check your unit. Make sure there is no blockage in, near or around the condenser unit. Leaves, dirt or debris can block the interior components and affect performance. Also, you want to check for any missing panels. The panels are designed to enclose the electrical connections.
Are you wired? Check to make sure there is no wear on the outdoor electrical wiring. If you see damage or wear, call a professional for service before using your system.
Know when it’s time. As we’ve mentioned in the past, air conditioners have a life span. If things aren’t running like they should, your air conditioner may have reached its retirement age. Even if your unit has been properly maintained, it will eventually wear out.
The Badger Bottom Line
It’s June and the heat is coming… but you can be ready. Paying a little extra attention to your A/C system before the temperatures rise can mean the difference between a comfortable season and a miserable summer. If you’d rather have a professional take a look and perform these critical steps, simply call 941.225.2775 or visit https://badgerbobs.com/schedule-now/.