7 Great Air Conditioning Tips: Don’t Break the Bank to Beat the Heat!

Photo by Dewi Karuniasih on Unsplash

If you’re like us, you know summers are getting warmer and warmer! And when summer arrives, there’s nothing better than to arrive in a cool place, and to sleep comfortably at night. All of this can happen when you have a working air conditioner. But don’t worry you don’t have to break the bank to beat the heat! We have 7 great air conditioning tips to help you save money while keeping your unit on great shape.

Your air conditioner must’ve been lying inactive for months, and it may have accumulated leaves, dust, and debris, and its working parts may require a pre-season tune-up. Just like we must prepare for the beach, run this air conditioning tips to have a good maintenance to prepare it for the summer!

No need to be stuck in the heat when you find out that your AC is broken. Before turning it on, make sure that it’s summer-ready.

With these small air conditioning tips, you will make sure your unit is up and running

Just like any other appliance, you expect that your AC unit gets some wear and tear from regular use. Keeping it ready to roll requires a little extra work and attention to maintenance and service. In the long run, these air conditioning tips can also save your money and headaches by preventing unexpected malfunctions that leave you sweaty and irritated!

Get it checked by a professional

One of the key air conditioning tips when it comes to maintenance is whether to do it yourself. Make sure that,for service, you call a certified technician. This is especially useful when summer is starting. When they do, make sure they perform the following maintenance:

Carefully clean the condenser and evaporator coils.
Make sure it has the proper refrigerant charge (repairs to an air conditioner’s sealed refrigeration system are not a do-it-yourself project).
Examine and adjust wiring: EVERY electrical issue must be left to the pros.
Check for and seal duct leakage in central systems
Examine electric terminals, clean and adjust linkages, and if required, apply a non-conductive coating.
Clean and repair the pipes.

Ok, so now it’s about you

There are some -straightforward- steps that you can do without the help of a specialist. Having this basic technical knowledge, and following these air conditioning tips will save you time and money down the road:

1. Keep an eye on the filters.

The most crucial part of an AC System is the filter. The first one of our air conditioning tips is to perform a maintenance of them. To ensure your unit’s performance you should change or clean its filters regularly. Filters that are clogged or unclean prevent normal airflow and affect a system’s efficiency. Because they impede normal airflow, they may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil, reducing the coil heat-absorbing ability. According to the US Department of Energy, replacing a dirty clogged filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

Different kinds of filters answer each’s specific needs. Find the one who fits you the most, whether it’s reusable or disposable ones. And pay extra attention if you have furry friends at home.

2. Seal your home tight

Remember to get your cracks and crevices sealed, especially under your doors and windows. Preventing air leaks is one of the best air conditioning tips to keep warm air out and cool air in, especially if you don’t want to face a high summer electric bill. This will also prevent your unit from extra forcing itself to work to maintain your place cool.

3. Is it noisy?

Modern units may have a loud compressor compared to quieter fans. If this is your case, you can obtain a sound blanket from your A/C manufacturer It’s really easy to install and very convenient. If you keep hearing clanging, banging, or other unusual noises, it could be a sign of trouble. Make sure you call a proper technician to get a full maintenance scheduled and have it checked and fixed.

4. Keep the condenser and compressor clean and tidy.

The condenser is one of the most important components of the A/C system, so keep an eye on it for problems. The condenser is usually situated outside, although it may also be situated in the garage or attic depending on the kind. Here are some small air conditioning tips that will help you keep it up and running:

- Power off the unit before any maintenance work

When cleaning the condenser and compressor unit, make sure there is no electricity running through it. You can either remove the breaker, turn off the switch, or just turn off the power to the air conditioner main electrical panel.

- Condenser fan

The majority of the dirt will become lodged on the condenser fins. To remove the dirt, try to use a stiff paintbrush. After that, you may use your vacuum cleaner to clear up the smaller particles. Plant growth and other things must also be kept out of the space around the condenser.

If you’re having a hard time cleaning the fins, try straightening and scrubbing them with a butter knife. If not, try using a commercially available fin cleaning spray that will help you get away from that dirtiness.

- Condenser fins

You will be surprised at how much debris can be accumulated in this place over time. To avoid it, simply clean it regularly. This will avoid leaves to get stuck and causing further damage to the unit.

5. Keep the shrubs neat

One great way to keep your surroundings looking nice is to plant some shrubs, it will also help you to avoid some suspicious looks. If you’ve planted vegetation around your unit to hide it from view, be sure there’s enough room around it for it towork without being obstructed. A little trim will suffice.

6. Consider buying a programmable thermostat

Nowadays, a programmable thermostat is not just part of the air conditioning tips, it is a must-have. They enable you to set settings for different times of the day and have the temperature automatically fall when you need it the most, saving you money and allowing you to control your cooling without continually being manually adjusting.

7. And when summer ends…

Our air conditioning tips don’t stop when summer ends. Make sure to cover your A/C or remove it and store it. This will protect it from moisture, winter weather, and unwanted debris.

Perform an annual AC maintenance

Last but not least, you should perform an annual maintenance plan. Don’t leave things to luck— regular maintenance costs can save you from much more costly repairs later while also helping you save on your utility bills. See, a win-win situation!

Do you have more air conditioning tips? Share them with us in the comment section and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to find out more about the best tips to save money and make the most of your appliances!