6 Tips On Making Sure Your Air Conditioner Is Ready For The Summer
Is your air conditioner ready for the summer? The weather often shifts from ridiculously cold to suddenly hotter than ever. There is not much of a break between winter and summer when it comes to the temperature in Edmonton. It could be cold and wet one week and then reaching 30 degree temperatures the next week. Even so, most people prefer to deal with the heat outside instead of the cold weather, especially because of the snow.
Even though a lot of people prefer the heat, it certainly does not mean that they enjoy sweating because of it. And, you may be one of those people who prefer to stay as cool as you can during the warmer months. If that is true, you should always check that your air conditioning unit is running smoothly and will provide you with plenty of cold air. After storing it away while the weather was cold, some problems could occur, so it is always best to test it out.
Give It a Good Cleaning
Before you even start using the air conditioner, you need to give it a good cleaning. Over the past few months, a whole lot of dust has probably accumulated on it. Too much dust and dirt could cause a unit to stop work so efficiently, which is why you should always clean it out before running it. Make sure that you are wiping it down with a damp rag or wet wipes to remove any dirt and dust that you can clearly see.
Replace the Old Filters
The filters inside of air conditioners are typically inexpensive. Even if the one that you have does not look damaged, it may be dirty. You can rinse it out in the sink after removing it from the air conditioner, but you may still want to buy a few additional filters just in case. In fact, it is better to replace them instead of continuously using the same one that has become way too dirty.
When you use clean, fresh filters, the air quality in the home should be much better. Your air conditioner may not have to run on high nearly as much because there will be no dirt or dust blocking that wonderfully cool air from escaping. And, when it is not always running on high, you may end up saving more money after a while because the electric bill could become much lower than you probably thought it could go. Furthermore, it may save you some money from having to hire a professional to tune-up your air conditioner.
Take a Good Look at the Ducts
While you need to take a look at the unit as a whole, it is just as important to check out the ducts to make sure that they are running properly and do not have any damages. When you have the unit stored away for a while, dust can start appearing on the ducts, and it will need to get cleared off carefully. Along with the ducts, make sure to check the vents for any blockages.
If there is a blockage, your unit is going to have to work even harder to produce the cool air that you want and need to have in your home. However, as it works harder, your electric bill could increase and the unit could become damaged after a while.
It is just as important to check for any leaks that would also cause problems with your system. Air conditioning specialists in the Edmonton area may be able to check for these issues if you are unable to do so yourself.
What Do the Fan Belts Look Like?
There are other components, such as the fan belts, that help an air conditioning unit work efficiently at providing the cool air that so many people desire. However, there is always a possibility that the fan belt in your unit has started to rot or become damaged after a while. The fan belts can break if the unit is not properly cared for throughout the year. If yours looks damaged, it may be best for you to change it if you want your unit to work right.
Test to See If It Works
After you have looked at different parts of the air conditioning unit, it is best to try it out and make sure that it still works. You may want to do this before it starts getting too hot outside because you certainly would not want to get stuck dealing with a non-working A/C on a day when the temperature is high and the humidity is even worse.
If you would like to test it and make sure it works, simply install it as you normally would. Make sure that your windows are shut before you put it on. Wait for an hour or so to see how well it has cooled down that section of the home. If you start feeling cool almost instantly, there is a fairly high chance that your unit is running smoothly.
Getting Help With Certain Problems
After you turn the air conditioner on, you may notice that it is making unusual noises that it did not always make. Strange noises could mean that something is going on inside the unit. For example, one of the components could be loose. Whether it needs to be tightened or replaced, there are professional air conditioning specialists in Edmonton who can have a look at it for you.
They may start by troubleshooting the unit to determine what types of problems you are specifically dealing with. It is better to have a specialist help with the unit because you do not want to cause any damage to it that would keep it from working right. While you have the specialist in your home, you could also ask for advice on how to conserve energy while using your air conditioner.
The next time that you put your unit away for the colder months, make sure that it is located in a safe spot. You should keep it covered with a protective tarp so that a lot of dust does not start to get on it and inside of it so your air conditioner is ready for summer.