Winter Park is anything but wintry in the summer, and even the normal wear and tear on your air conditioner can reduce its life span. In climates like ours, you can get more out of the A/C by reducing its cooling load to extend the life of the system and reduce cooling costs, all without sacrificing comfort. Use these tips to keep your A/C humming for years to come.
Schedule Yearly Maintenance
Nothing keeps your A/C in tip-top shape through years of use better than an annual tuneup by a qualified professional. The tuneup checklist includes all of the maintenance tasks that extend the life of your system, increase efficiency and prevent common A/C problems. The ideal time for preventive maintenance is early spring, but it will benefit you, your wallet and your air conditioner any time.
Seal Air Leaks
Warm air infiltrating your home makes the air conditioner work harder to keep up with the cooling load. Seal air leaks around windows and doors, service entrances and baseboards with weatherstripping and caulk to get more out of the A/C.
Replace the Dirty Air Filter
Dirty air filters are one of the most common causes of air conditioner problems. A dirty air filter restricts airflow to your system and allows dust to settle inside, both of which can result in the premature failure of the system’s essential components and cause overheating and related damage. Inspect the filter each month, and replace it with a good quality air filter when the old one is dirty.
Reduce Heat Gain
The sun strikes your home all summer, heating up rooms and causing the A/C to work overtime to compensate. Keep the window shades closed when the sun is up. Avoid using heat-generating appliances when the outdoor temperatures soar.
Keep Cool With Fans
Portable and ceiling fans provide a wind chill effect that keeps you cool at higher thermostat settings. Because they don’t actually cool down rooms, turn them off when you leave the room.
For more expert advice about how you can get more out of the A/C, please contact us in the Winter Park area at SSI.
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