We know you probably don’t want to hear this, but there are things you can do right now as a homeowner that can lead to cooler temperatures in the summer. We get it, many people just want to call a hotline, have a professional do the work, and not really think about their thermostat or the air conditioning. A lot of homeowners assume that if they’re thinking about temperatures or AC systems, then they’ve already lost the battle against the heat. That’s not entirely true, though.
There exists a world where you can be a vigilant homeowner and proper advocate for your HVAC system while also enjoying your summer. Today, we’re going to talk about some best practices that can lead to optimal AC performance and a happier home. These include techniques like changing out the air filter and scheduling an air conditioning tune-up in Alexandria, VA.
No, this isn’t the same as your kid asking you if your “refrigerator is running?” and subsequently following up with “well, why don’t you catch it!” Refrigerant leaks are a real problem, and as funny as they might sound, they’re not a laughing matter when you encounter one in your own home. They can cause energy bills to skyrocket, they can cause a whole system breakdown, and even lead to decreased cooling power to the point where your home is as hot and humid as it was before you invested in an air conditioner. Refrigerant leaks need to be dealt with by professionals.
You’re probably tired of people all around the country telling you how your air conditioning should work. How the heck would they know what the climate is like here in Alexandria? Our HVAC needs are a little specific, and our climate is different from that of New York up north, or Florida down south, so it’s important to remember that we need better advice.
If you’ve never heard the term “short-cycling” before, we don’t blame you. While it’s a well-known term that we use in the HVAC industry, it’s not exactly widespread in our everyday lexicon. So, if you’re just finding this blog post to get the lowdown on what short-cycling is, we’ll answer all your questions.
You wouldn’t believe how many homeowners we meet who think their ducts and air conditioners function completely separately. Too many people believe that if their air conditioner is brand new, no matter the shape of their ductwork, they’ll get the cooling they need throughout the summer. This is a completely untenable position.
AC maintenance is just one of those things that’s really easy to forget about. Like a bill every now and then or your car’s oil change, we forget things all the time. We’re not here to shame you for that. Far from it! We’re here to say that we understand that mentality. It’s hard to remember everything without constantly being worried or stressed out.
Imagine your air conditioner as the hero of a superhero story. When temperatures rise and things become muggy and uncomfortable, your AC always comes to save the day. It cools you off and makes you feel comfortable no matter what the temperature is outside. These systems really are like heroes to us when we need them!
Repairing your air conditioner is a lot faster and cheaper than a whole system replacement. It’s why so many homeowners opt to have their older air conditioners repaired when they really should be replaced. We understand why, people think their technology can last forever. If homeowners can fix up an old 1969 Ford Mustang and make it run like it did in the old days, why can’t they do the same thing to their air conditioner?
We talk about changing the air filter in your air conditioner all the time, but the problem we consistently run into is that not many homeowners know how. That’s why we’re going to get into specifics today about how to change your air filter. Different models of air conditioners have different specifications for how to change the filter, but the important part is that the process is relatively similar for all air conditioners, and it has to be done every 1-3 months regardless.
Air conditioners aren’t supposed to be noisy by any means. Sure, if you hear air gently whooshing from your vents and a slight “click” when the system starts or stops, that’s quite normal, but anything else can be a sign that something is wrong. Air conditioners are specifically constructed by manufacturers to operate as quietly as possible, so that they don’t disturb homeowners and allow us to pretend that there’s no air conditioning running in the first place.