During the hot Ocala summers, HVAC technicians are busy from dawn until dusk with air conditioners that have jumped ship. Fortunately, there are three easy ways to minimize the discomfort and inconvenience of air conditioner malfunction:
1. Change the Air Filter
A dirty filter can quickly take your AC out of the action. When a filter is clogged, airflow is obstructed. Your system will try to perform in spite of the blockage, but it will suffer wear and tear, consume a lot of energy and run up your cooling bill in the process. A clogged filter will also spread dirt to other parts of the system including the air ducts. That dirt will blow into your home and load your indoor air with contaminants that can make you sick. Because the air filter is already clogged, it can’t remove these particulates from the air, so your indoor air quality will get even worse. Dirty filters also decrease cooling efficiency because the dirt invades the cooling coils and creates frost. You can bypass this scenario when you change the filter every month.
2. Clean the Area Around the Outdoor Unit
The area surrounding the outdoor unit should be cleared of debris. Remove leaves and grass regularly to avoid airflow obstruction. Trim foliage back by two feet all the way around. The outdoor unit should always be level. If it shifts, your compressor and fan motor will quickly wear out, and the unit won’t be able to drain properly. If you notice an imbalance, schedule AC service immediately.
3. Schedule AC Maintenance
AC repair is expensive and disruptive. In hot, humid cities like Ocala, life basically stops until the unit is fixed. If your unit needs replacement, it’s even worse. Tuneups can increase air conditioner efficiency by up to 40 percent and decrease AC malfunction by up to 95 percent.
Call Sun Kool Air Conditioning, Inc. today at (352) 330-1067 to learn how our HVAC service plans can help you save on AC maintenance costs in your Ocala or Wildwood home.
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