It’s coming, you can feel it in the air. Summer. And with it, heat. In the summer, heat waves will certainly make you miserable on some days and the key to being comfortable at home lies in your air condition unit. Your home’s cooling system is one of the more expensive components of your home and understanding it and taking care of it will help it last longer. As we head into the warmest months of the year, follow these tips if you are having any issues.
- Check to make sure the thermostat is correctly set. Of course, it probably is set correctly, but check it anyway. You can save yourself some embarrassment by doing so.
- Next, check your electrical panel for tripped breakers or blown fuses.
- Examine your system, inside and out. If you notice frost or ice on any of the equipment, shut the system down. You’re going to need a professional at this point.
- Make sure all outside equipment is clean and has a free flow of air around it.
- Pools of water near the equipment could be a sign of blockage in the drainage tubes. Algae are a common cause and can be removed with a bleach solution.
- If the system isn’t cooling correctly, start by turning it off for a couple hours. If the system has frozen up, a short break may allow it to work normally later. If you had the unit running more than normal due to super-hot temperatures, that may be the cause of this but if it happens repeatedly, it would be a good idea to have a professional look at the system to see if there is something causing this.
Filters are one of the key points where you can save yourself a lot of headaches. Air drawn in by the air conditioner for cooling passes through air filters to remove dust and other particles. A dirty filter causes the system to have to work harder, resulting in less cooling, higher electricity bills and potential damage to the equipment. The lower air flow can cause your evaporator coils to ice-up and completely block air flow. Filters should be replaced once every two to three months. If you have pets, you’ll want to change them every more frequently.
When you do have a professional HVAC technician at your home, be sure to ask questions. Find out as much as you can about your system and how to take care of it. Keeping your HVAC system clean and functioning well is going to be important for anyone trying to sell their home, and should also be of concern when buying a home.
Another thing to consider is a programmable thermostat that will allow you to automatically adjust the system according to your family’s schedule. This can allow your system to work less extending the life of the system and saving you money on your monthly utility bills as well as the cost of repairs and a new system.
Brooke Boles
Coldwell Banker Realty
501 E Camino Real
Boca Raton, FL 33432
561.595.4473
Brooke.Boles@CBREalty.com
www.BrookeSellsBoca.com
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