That famous summer heat has begun to descend on North Texas, and it’s only the start of June. It is a heavy life to ask for from your AC unit, especially considering that we are in for months more of this. When your air conditioner starts to struggle, few people have a budget set aside for a brand new air conditioner! Luckily, there is usually a bit more time you can get out of a system at the end of its lifespan. This post will help you get the most out of your unit while you budget for a new air conditioning system.
Read on for some tips on how to get the most out of your struggling AC unit, and what to expect:
Turn up the thermostat. This should be the first and most obvious step. 78 degrees is the high end of comfortable temperatures for most people. The less the unit runs, the less chance for a breakdown.
DO NOT turn the unit off while you are not home. This is a common practice, but your air conditioning unit will have to work harder overall to catch up when you return.
Change your air filters monthly. Dirty filters make it harder for your unit to move air, which causes system strain.
Make your house use as little energy as possible. This not only will save you money on your energy bills but will go a long way toward keeping your home cooler overall. Draw your blinds and shades, caulk windows, seal gaps and cracks that let outside air in, keep as few lights on as possible, and only run your major appliances like dishwashers and dryers late at night. You can also consider limiting the use of your oven on hot days.
Run your ceiling fans to make the air feel more comfortable. This is a helpful trick all summer, regardless of whether your air conditioning unit is struggling or brand new.
Finally, be prepared to spend some money to keep it going. Breakdowns may happen and refrigerant may be needed. It is not ideal, sometimes a band-aid repair is best in the short term to keep your system afloat until you can make your big purchase of a new system.
If you find yourself in this situation this summer, get in touch with us here at Gentry Air Conditioning immediately. We can help you and your family stay comfortable in the short and long terms!
