Are you looking to beat the heat this summer? With the right home maintenance tips, you can keep your air conditioner working its best. Through a maintenance checklist, you can stay cool and comfortable all summer.
Importance of Home Maintenance for Summer Comfort
Routine home maintenance is necessary for maintaining a comfortable indoor environment during the summer. It’s also important for your bottom line. If your air conditioner isn’t working properly, it will use more energy. In fact, a dirty air filter can lower your energy efficiency by 5% to 15%.
Completing your house maintenance checklist can also help you save money on your repair costs. If you’re not taking proper care of your air conditioner, you’ll need to call for repairs more often.
Creating a House Maintenance Checklist
To keep your air conditioner in top condition, use this house maintenance checklist to get started. The home service checklist covers all of the tasks you need to do to care for your AC, like sealing windows, inspecting insulation, and cleaning vents.
Inspecting Insulation
Insulation plays a key role in keeping your home cool during the summertime. It keeps the cold air from escaping, so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard. As a part of your regular home maintenance tips, you should make sure your home is properly insulated. None of the insulation should be damaged or pulled from its proper location.
Sealing Windows and Doors
Next, you should check your windows and doors to see if they’re properly sealed. If you notice warm air coming from around a door or window, there is likely a gap that needs to be sealed.
Cleaning Vents and Ducts
Sometimes, your vents or ducts can become blocked. Check the vents to make sure they’re open and clean. You should also move furniture away from the vent openings.
Ducts can become less efficient if they develop leaks. This is more likely to occur around joints and where the ducts connect to the vents. If there are leaks, it’s important to seal them to prevent cold air from escaping.
Annual House Maintenance Tasks
Each year, there are annual house maintenance tasks you need to do. The easiest way to remember these tasks is by adding a reminder to your calendar for spring.
Checking the Roof and Attic
First, inspect your roof and attic. If you have insulation issues or leaky ducts, they are likely to be in this area of your home.
Gutter Cleaning
Your gutters are designed to channel water away from your home. If they’re broken or filled with debris, it will cause water damage.
Inspecting Outdoor Spaces
Check your property for any issues that could affect indoor cooling. For example, any weeds and debris around your outdoor AC unit can worsen its efficiency and lead to more frequent repairs.
However, shade trees can help your home remain cool. It’s important to prune them, so they don’t damage your roof or AC unit.
Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips
During the summertime, the right air conditioner maintenance tips can make a difference in your power bill. While some tasks need to be done by a professional, there are a few AC unit maintenance tips you can do on your own.
Regular Filter Changes
Filter changes are one of the most important things you can do to protect your AC. Air has to flow through the filter to reach the rest of your unit. A dirty or clogged filter reduces your efficiency, leads to dirty coils, and increases the likelihood of more repair costs.
Cleaning the Coils
To clean the condenser coils, use the following steps. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the sharp fins. This isn’t a DIY task for everyone, so it’s important to call in a professional if you need help.
- Turn off your air conditioner.
- Remove the cover from your outdoor unit.
- Use a soft-bristle brush to remove dirt and debris.
- There are special coil cleaners that you can use for a deeper level of cleanness.
- Use your hose to rinse the coils and fins clean. Avoid using high pressure, as it can damage the fins.
- Let everything dry.
- Turn your AC back on after it has fully dried.
Checking the Thermostat
A faulty thermostat won’t signal your AC to turn on when it needs to. You can check if your thermostat is working properly by changing the temperature setting and seeing if it turns on. If it doesn’t switch on, your thermostat may need a repair or replacement.
Simple DIY Servicing of Air Conditioners
When servicing air conditioner equipment, remember to do these safety tasks. Unlike some maintenance activities, these tips don’t require professional help.
Cleaning Around the Unit
Remember to clean around the outdoor unit. Remove dirt, debris, and weeds. Make sure your AC isn’t covered up in any way.
Checking for Leaks
If you notice warm air near your windows and doors, there might be leaks. You can also check for leaks around your ducts and vents to determine if air is escaping.
Benefits of Professional AC Maintenance
By getting professional air conditioning maintenance, you can enjoy a number of important benefits.
Expertise and Experience
A professional can notice details a casual observer would otherwise miss.
Long-term Savings
Proper maintenance can prevent your AC from breaking down and can save you on repair costs. Plus, it can decrease the amount you spend on your electricity bill.
Efficiency Improvements
Thanks to professional servicing, your AC can operate more efficiently.
Keep Your Family Cool This Summer
Through the right home maintenance tips, you can keep your home cool and comfortable. Scheduling professional air conditioning maintenance on an annual basis can help you maintain your AC and prepare your home for the summer heat.
