Schedule Fall is officially here, although the cooling season doesn’t officially stop for those of us in Texas for a while still. As far as your air conditioning system is concerned though, this late in the season it’s built up a good amount of wear and tear from a few months of consistent operation. In our climate, any home AC puts in a good amount of work starting from, at the latest, May.
So by now, your cooling system might face problems with malfunctions, or may start to perform inefficiently, raising your utility bills. We have some tips to share that can help your air conditioner get through any more warm weather we might experience. Keep reading to learn more, and contact us for professional Katy, TX air conditioning repair should you be experiencing any problems with your system.
Don’t Forget to Change Your Air Filter
It’s important to not skip changing out the air filter in your HVAC system. Sure, this gets done during maintenance, but you need your filter changed far more often than that. In fact, you should be changing or cleaning your filter every 1-3 months. This will protect the inside components of your system.
The stronger your air filter is, the less frequently it needs to be changed—but if you haven’t changed it at all this cooling season, then now is the time. A clean air filter means keeping your cooling costs under control, and preventing extra strain on your AC motors that can lead to breakdowns and/or tripped circuit breakers.
Clean Up the Area around Your Exterior Cabinet
Go ahead and take a look at the outside cabinet of your air conditioner. If there is anything collecting there, such as branches or leaves gathering around it, then proper heat release can be restricted and efficiency will drop.
Another thing to watch out for is rocks and pebbles, which can create the potential for damage to components if they get inside the cabinet. Keep the area around the cabinet clear for at least a foot. You may even want to wash down the cabinet exterior as well.
Check Your Thermostat
Proper thermostat control is an integral part of lowering your AC bills. We recommend aiming for a setting of 78°F in order to boost efficiency and save money. But if your thermostat isn’t working as it should, it doesn’t matter what temperature you have it set at—the cooling system will operate at the wrong times and waste valuable energy.
Ensure that your thermostat has fresh batteries, and double check on the programming to see that the AC is responding to it as it should. If it isn’t, you might either need to repair or replace the thermostat, or it could even be a problem with the AC system itself. The best way to determine this, if you are experiencing problems, is to allow an HVAC professional to take a look. If you suspect this is the case, we do not recommend waiting–as neglecting AC problems and delaying repairs can lead to more harm than good for both the system and your wallet.
For more air conditioning tips or to schedule your next services, contact Fresh Air, LP today!
