Every Summer in Michigan can be unpredictable. The only thing that’s a constant is the heat. It’s just when and how much of it are we going to get. In this article, I’ll go over some of the tips and tricks of keeping your AC system running and keeping it in its best condition.
STEP ONE: Routine Maintenance
Completing routine AC maintenance at the start of every Spring/Summer will ensure there are no electrical problems with your unit. A trained professional can also ensure that your AC is charged with the correct amount of Refrigerant. Having both your electrical components and your refrigerant at the correct levels makes sure your AC is overworking itself. When either of those things starts to deteriorate your AC will run (work) harder to cool your home. Electrical components failing will ensure that your AC won’t even start to start cooling your home!
STEP TWO: Cleaning The Unit
One issue is that people are not cleaning and changing their filters. We’ve discussed the importance of changing your furnace filter with the seasons, it’s also important to wash and clean your AC. Using an AC-safe cleaner that you can buy at your local hardware store you can gently clean your AC by finishing with a hose wash. They do make brushes that allow you to clean the fins a bit more in-depth but be warned that the fins are quite fragile and can bend easily and break. Along with cleaning your AC unit in the off-season, it’s a good idea to cover the fan, in Michigan where Fall produces leaves and Winter produces heavy snow protecting the opening of the unit will help prolong the life of your AC. Not all AC’s look like the unit pictured to the left, some have a metal case that completely covers the fins. This doesn’t mean those units stay clean all year, grass from mowing, dirt, and debris can still get inside those units as well. Cleaning those might be a bit more tricky, removing the shell can be hard, and calling an All Seasons professional to service and clean it might be the best way (if you are not comfortable) to do the process. Cleaning is just one part of the AC tune-up process.
Step Three: Don’t Block Your Unit
In some cases, we’ve had customers in the past have things blocking the airflow of the unit. Blocking the unit’s airflow makes the unit work harder to cool your home. Tallgrass, weeds, and debris are just some of the examples of things we see in the field.
Step Four: Utilize Your Fans
Your AC may need some help to cool off your home on those hot summer days, this is where your ceiling fans and bedroom fans can help dramatically. While your AC is producing the cold air using your fans to circulate the air may take some of the stress off your AC. Make sure to not use window fans or have your windows open while using your AC, that is a quick way to waste a lot of energy.
Step Five: Let Your Unit Rest When Your Not Home
In conditions where it would be appropriate to turn off your unit, you should consider it. Not only will this help with your utility bill at the end of the month, but it’ll also help your AC. Colder nights and milder days, are prime conditions to give your central ac system a much-needed break. The U.S Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees and turning it up several degrees when no one is in the home (including your pets). If you have problems setting your thermostat you should consider having an All Seasons professional install a programable one and showing you how to use it.
In all cases when it comes to your heating and cooling equipment having an All Seasons professional out every year to service your Furnace and Air Conditioning is the best bet to make sure your system is clean and running smoothly. Call us today at (989) 282-2959.
