Air Conditioning Your Home: 7 Things You Should Know

Air conditioning components are hard-working, complex mechanisms. To keep your home cooling system working at its best, you must keep it well maintained. Here are seven things you should know about keeping your air conditioner in top shape.

1. Arrange preventive maintenance: Regular professional maintenance is the most effective thing you can do to keep your air conditioner working reliably. Contact your local trusted HVAC service provider to schedule an inspection and tune-up.
2. Change the filter: Regular filter changes will keep your air conditioner running efficiently and will prevent breakdowns. Fresh filters also keep your indoor air cleaner. Use filters with Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) ratings of 12 or better for the best filtration. Check filters monthly and change them if needed; otherwise, change them every three months.
3. Seal air leaks: Check your ductwork system for loose connections, openings or holes that could be causing air to leak out and be wasted. Seal connections with mastic, a specialized ductwork sealant, or with metal tape.
4. Insulate ductwork: Make sure ductwork is well insulated, especially ducts in unconditioned areas of your home such as unfinished attics, basements or crawl spaces. Use rigid fiber board insulation or wrap the ducts with fiberglass blanket insulation.
5. Use a timer or smart thermostat: Install a timer or programmable thermostat to control air conditioner operation. These devices let you automatically reduce indoor cooling when you don’t need it and increase cooling levels before you return home.
6. Make space: Provide about 24 inches of clear space on all sides of the outdoor unit housing the condenser and compressor. The unit needs plenty of clearance for proper airflow, and the condenser and compressor must be free of obstructions to work correctly.
7. Boost performance: Run ceiling fans or floor-level fans to increase cool-air circulation throughout your home. Keep blinds or drapes drawn during the day to prevent increased indoor heating from sunlight, especially on southward-facing windows.

Since 1969, Air-Tro Inc. has provided design, installation, repair and maintenance to customers in the greater Los Angeles area. Contact us today for more information on air conditioning and for the facts you need to know to maintain effective home cooling.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioning and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Air-Tro Inc. services the greater Los Angeles area as well as the metro areas of Riverside and San Bernardino County. 

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