Ways To Avoid An Emergency AC Repair | Arlington, TX
The last thing you want is for your air conditioner to break on a hot and humid summer’s day. This is the time you will use your unit the most and the most likely time it will break down and need an AC repair. You can always rely on Minuteman Heating and Air of Arlington, TX to come to your rescue and quickly restore your unit to full working order. But are there steps you can take to prevent a need for an expensive emergency AC repair?
Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance from Minuteman Heating and Air will ensure that your air conditioner is running correctly, and any defects discovered and put right. The best time to schedule your maintenance is during the early spring before the summer season starts. A well-maintained unit will save you money in the long term by using less energy, it will perform better, and have a longer working life. You will have greater peace of mind knowing it is less likely to break down and need an AC Repair.
Change the Air Filters Often
Changing or cleaning the air filters (if they are reusable) is part of any regular maintenance from Minuteman Heating and Air. But we suggest that you do this more often as the filters become dirty, especially if you have pets. The evaporator coils must receive a constant supply of warm air, or else they will start to freeze over.
Dirty air filters will restrict that airflow, causing the coils to freeze and the air conditioner to shut down. If this happens too often your unit will beak and need an AC repair. Dirty air filters will also mean that more dust and dirt particles will enter your home, reducing the air quality in your home.
Clean the Condenser and Cooling Fins Regularly
The condenser and cooling fins are located outside your home and will get covered in dirt and grime from pollutants in the air. The dirt layer reduces the rate at which heat from inside your home is transferred to the outside air. This problem will be made worse by moss and weeds growing on the condenser and cooling fins.
These materials can be removed during regular maintenance, but this is a job that you could do yourself when you notice a buildup. Leaving these materials will cause the condenser to overheat, break down and require an AC repair.
Clean the AC Drain Line
As the warm air inside your home is cooled, the moisture will condense and be deposited in the drain pan. This water then flows outside through the AC drain line. The moisture will promote the growth of moss and algae and could block the drain pan and AC drain line. These need to be cleaned regularly to prevent blockages and again this is done during regular maintenance. What is less well known is your air conditioner could shut down if the AC drain line is blocked by dirt and leaves that cover the drain outside. Removing this rubbish is a job you can do yourself as part of a general clean-up of your yard.
Check Your Thermostats
Many people still use older dial-type thermostats, and these are less reliable than more modern programmable ones. The older type needs to be calibrated more often or else they will drive up your energy bills. A badly positioned thermostat will also increase your energy bills. Positioned near open windows and doors, or in direct sunlight will cause them to incorrectly record the temperature and the amount of cooling you need.
Set Your Thermostats to a Higher Temperature
Many people believe that setting your thermostats to a lower temperature will cool your home quicker. This belief is wrong, all that is going to happen is that your air conditioner will be running for longer, making your home cooler than it needs to be. It will also cause the components in your unit to work harder. This will not only increase your energy bills but also the wear and tear on your unit, making it more likely that you will need an AC repair.
Improve Your Home’s Insulation
Extra insulation will help keep the rest of your house cool. Check the insulation in your attic, more is good, it will reduce your heating bills during the winter and your air conditioner will work less to keep you comfortable. Your energy bills will now be lower and as your air conditioner is working less it will be less prone to breakdown and an AC repair.
Shut the Blinds and Curtains During the Day
If your windows directly face the sun during the day, it is a good idea to shut your blind and curtains as this will reduce the rate at which your room will heat up. Again, your air conditioner will not need to work as hard, lowering your energy bills and the chance of an AC repair.
Shut Your Doors and Windows
On a very hot summer day, it is tempting to open a window or two to help lower the temperature and have fresh air enter your home. However, opening windows and doors will create different temperature regions in your home. When the windows and doors are closed, air will circulate more evenly across the rooms, reducing your energy bills. If you live in a polluted area, an open window will reduce the air quality in your home as well.
Check Your Air Ducts
Again, this is part of regular maintenance from Minuteman Heating and Air. If there is any damage to the ducts or there are gaps between the joints, a lot of cool air can escape into the crawl spaces. Some clever people have calculated that up to 30 percent of your Hair conditioner’s energy output is wasted in this way. This represents a lot of wasted money over the course of a year. It is also causing your unit to work harder to keep your home cool.
A Trusted Heating and AC Repair Company
Minuteman Heating & Air has been serving the people of Arlington, TX for many years. We realize how important it is to offer a speedy AC Repair service during a hot Texas summer and that is why we have technicians available 24/7 ready to come to your assistance.