It never fails. A heat wave is covering the Ocala area and the air conditioner in your home starts blowing out warm air or stops operating entirely. Along with hundreds of other people in our city, you reach for the phone to call your HVAC specialist, and wait out the heat until relief arrives. While some A/C issues absolutely require a professional to service them, here are a few tips that can be used to decrease the chance of this happening to you this summer.
Ensure Maximum Air Flow
A properly operating central air system must be able to pull the air through the unit, including recirculating air from within your home. If this process is obstructed in any way, it can end up translating to money out of pocket for you. To ensure your air conditioner has the air flow it needs, make sure to keep space around the vents - indoors and outside. This includes scaling back vegetation and cleaning dirt away from vents.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Controlling the consumption of your indoor energy use is simple with a programmable thermostat. Set your thermostat to be on only when you are actually in your home.
In addition, program your thermostat for extended run-cycles. While this action won’t prevent problems, it can help bring down the humidity in your Ocala area home. This can offer a more comfortable environment, as well as keep mold spores from developing in your home.
Keep Pests at Bay
Some bugs and pests are attracted to central air units, which can be harmful if they get inside the system. To keep ants and other pests away, use an eco-friendly pesticide around the base of the unit with a reasonably wide perimeter of 24 – 36 inches.
Stay Level
Nearly all outdoor A/C units rest on a concrete slab or other platform, giving them a level base of operation. However, the weight of the unit and ground moisture can cause your unit’s platform to sag or sink, impacting the performance of the air conditioner. Check on your outdoor component to ensure that the base continues to stay level.
Obviously, regular maintenance, such as lubrication and filter changes, are pretty important to keep your air conditioner functioning well. Call 352-414-4006 to schedule annual maintenance service before the summer starts to ensure your system is ready to face the hot days ahead. Keeping these tips in mind, you may be able to avoid A/C problems and have a stress-free and climate controlled home all summer.