5 TIPS TO AVOID SUMMER DISASTER
The dog days of summer are still months away, but here in Philadelphia it’s time to start thinking about your air conditioner. Once temperatures start climbing, you want to be sure your home is an oasis of cool-air comfort. No one wants an A/C breakdown in July, but you can start planning in May to keep your unit in tip-top shape all summer.
Of course, your Philly neighbors at Stallion Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning are ready to fix your A/C if a breakdown occurs, but here are five tips that can protect your air conditioner this summer.
1) CHANGE YOUR FILTER
Before you turn on your air conditioner for the first time, change the air filter and keep checking and changing it regularly throughout the summer. A dirty or clogged air filter blocks airflow and makes your unit work harder, upping the chance that it will break down.
2) GET A TUNE-UP
Don’t neglect your annual HVAC tune-up. If you haven’t gotten an inspection and tune-up yet, we recommend getting this done before you turn your A/C on for the first time. Preventative maintenance will identify and remedy any problems before they become emergencies.
3) HELP IT OUT
The more your A/C runs, the more likely it is to break down. You can give it a helping hand by keeping things cool in your home. Draw curtains or blinds during the day to block out the sun’s heat. Turn ceiling fans to run counter-clockwise. Wear cooler clothing indoors so you can set the thermostat higher.
4) KEEP IT STEADY
Constantly changing temperatures on the thermostat puts more wear and tear on your unit, making it more likely to break down. Try to find a comfortable temperature and leave it there for as long as possible. A Wi-Fi enabled, programmable thermostat can help. You can set it to maintain a higher temperature while you are away from home and start cooling when you head back. This means your unit can take its time, and you’ll come home to a cool home.
5) CLEAR THE WAY
Keep your vents open and make sure they aren’t blocked by furniture or other household items. The same goes for your outside unit. Give it plenty of space and keep grass and landscaping trimmed back. This will help your A/C work at maximum efficiency and keep the coils in your outside unit from getting dirty.If you’re ready to schedule yearly maintenance on your A/C unit, or if you think it might be time to replace it, the experts at Stallion Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning are ready to help. Call us at (215) 461-3635 today or contact Stallion online.
