With temperatures reaching triple digits during the summer months, your air conditioning unit has worked tirelessly to keep you and your loved ones cool. It’s easy to get in the habit of hiding in the cool barrier of your home, often running your A/C day and night. However, now that temperatures are beginning to drop, it might be time to give your unit a break. These 5 tips can help keep your A/C in mint condition for fall and ensure that it’ll be ready to endure the next scorching summer.
Cut Back on Usage
If you’ve been running your A/C for several hours a day from June-August, it may be time to layoff a tad. As fall approaches, temperatures are finally beginning to cool down, so there are ways you can reduce your A/C usage. Consider:
- Turning the thermostat down a few degrees to give your overworked unit a break.
- While many homeowners enjoy the natural lighting, this can quickly heat up your home. Consider closing the blinds during the heat of the day.
- Using ceiling fans! Fans help to not only cool a room but circulate air throughout your home.
Clean Area Around Outdoor Unit
Check your outside unit for any obstructions that could affect airflow. If you’ve spent a lot of time in the backyard this summer, there could be debris piled up around your unit. Such as mowing clippings, toys the kids or dog left outside, or shrubs and weeds that have overgrown in that area. Dust off any dirt, debris, leaves, or twigs that could be obstructing airflow on the top of the unit. This simple cleaning can ensure that your A/C is ready for the next season.
Check the Electrical System
After a long summer of overusing your cooling unit, some electrical connections could need repair. Exposed electrical wires or outlets can be a fire hazard to your home and must be fixed. There may be eroded wires needing replacement or coils in need of new insulation. If you believe there is an obstruction in your electrical system, call a trained professional for a safe and efficient replacement.
Know If It’s Time For a Replacement
Regardless of the outstanding job your A/C did this past summer, it still may be time to find a replacement. The average lifespan of a cooling unit is 12 years, but with the West Texas heat, you may want to consider looking for a new one even sooner than that. Like many homeowners trying to avoid the summer heat, if you run your A/C for more than 3 hours a day throughout the summer, then the lifespan can be reduced to 10 years or less.
Schedule a Professional A/C Maintenance Checkup Before Fall
Preventive maintenance is vital to get the most out of your A/C unit. Fall is the perfect time to schedule an inspection and tune-up for the upcoming year after a long, hot summer. Additionally, if maintenance is needed and your HVAC system must be turned off, the cooler temperatures will make this a little more bearable. A professional inspection now could save you from your unit breaking down in the scorching heat of next summer!
