Quick Tips for a Cooler Summer with Your AC

Imagine your AC struggling to cool your rooms on a hot summer day. You find yourself wiping sweat and feeling restless. It is an embarrassing and hard situation for an AC user. To avoid such a tough situation a well-shaped AC system is a must.

An efficient Air Conditioner ensures better sleep and boosts productivity and happiness. You can ensure your AC performance with some care and easy steps. 

Here we arranged tips and tricks for a cooler summer with your AC.

Different Tips to Prepare Your AC for the Hot Summer Season

Preparing your air conditioners for the summer is vital for their performance. Air conditioners have become a necessity nowadays. To ensure your AC is ready for the summer heat complete the below checklists.

1. Routine Check-up and Maintenance

Regular check-up and maintenance helps to keep the air conditioners cooling when needed. It is better to perform the maintenance check-up at the start of the summer season. Remember to install Aaccording to the room size.

Regular maintenance means inspecting the unit, identifying potential issues, and performing necessary repairs or adjustments.

2. Clean or Replace Air Filters and Coils Regularly

Air filters and coils are two main parts of the AC system. The air conditioner's cooling performance depends much on these two parts. There are two types of coils in the air conditioner i.e. evaporator coils and condenser coils.

Air filters Cleaning- Checking your AC's air filters every month during peak cooling season is important. 

Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove dust and debris to clean the air filter.

Then rinse the filter with lukewarm water and mild detergent if it is washable. Dry the filter completely before reinstalling. Furthermore, try an advanced filter if possible.

Evaporator coils and their cleaning - Evaporator coils remain inside the heat pump. It absorbs the moisture and heat from the indoor environment. You will need to access the indoor unit to clean the evaporator coils. 

To clean the coil- turn off the AC system and disconnect the power supply first. Then remove the access panel to expose the evaporator coils.

After that, clean the coil with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner. Be careful about the damage of fine fins on the coils.

Finally, reinstall the access panel and restore power to the AC system.

N.B. Follow the manufacturer's instructions if necessary.

Condenser Coils Cleaning- Condenser coils are located outside the home. It completes the AC heat exchange cycle. 

To clean the condenser coils-

• -Turn off the AC system and disconnect the power supply.
• -Remove any plants blocking airflow around it and clean debris around the condenser.
• -Spray the water from the top to the bottom of the coils using a garden hose.
• -Save the electrical components from water spray. 
• -Dry the coils completely before restoring power to the AC system.

3. Clear Debris Around the Outdoor Unit of Your AC Before The Summer

The outdoor unit houses the compressor and condenser. They remove heat from your home. 

Here are the tips to clear debris from the outdoor unit-

• -Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris. Carefully handle the condenser coils.
• -Trim plants growing close to the unit. 
• -Keep the unit at least 2 feet away from any walls or obstructions. 
• -Keep the area clean around the unit.

4. Optimizing Air Conditioner Efficiency

Optimizing air conditioners is important for their performance, lifespan, and energy saving. Especially for the summer season when efficiency matters. Steps to optimize AC efficiency are:

Appropriate Temperature Settings- Set a suitable temperature for your AC unit. Don't forget every degree you lower the thermostat increases energy usage by 3 to 5%.

Use a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature. 

Use Fans and Close Blinds at Peak Sunlight- Use ceiling fans to circulate air and create a wind-chill effect. Close blinds, curtains, or shades to block out sunlight and heat. These will optimize your AC efficiency.

Perform Regular Maintenance- Regular maintenance check-ups with an HVAC technician can optimize AC efficiency.

Select an Energy-Efficient AC Model-Energy-efficient AC models have higher efficiency. Select an AC model with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating.

5. Improving Indoor Air Quality In the Summer

Your AC will cool more efficiently if the indoor air quality is good. Try these to ensure the air quality at indoor homes.

Changing air filters: It is a fundamental step to maintain air quality. Air filters trap dust, pollen, and other particles to improve indoor air quality.

Consider investing in air purifiers: Air purifiers remove harmful pollutants, allergens, and odor. HEPA filters are good for indoor air. They are great at capturing small particles.

Keep indoor spaces clean: Keeping indoor spaces clean improves air quality. Regular vacuuming, dusting, and using a damp cloth for cleaning can improve indoor air.

Ensure Proper Ventilation: Proper ventilation helps to enter fresh air and remove stale air. Open windows and doors whenever possible for ventilation. Try to use an air exchanger or ventilation system, if you live in a polluted area. 

Avoid smoking indoors: Smoking and harsh cleaners release harmful chemicals into the air. Keep your house smoke-free for better indoor air.

Keep Houseplants: Houseplants affect indoor air positively. You can plant peace lilies, snake plants, and English ivy for better indoor air.

Remember, small changes can make a big difference in improving indoor air quality.

6. Ensure Energy Saving

Your AC is on a huge load in the summer. So saving energy is important at that time. 

You can use ceiling fans and close vents in unused rooms to release pressure on the AC.

Opening the windows and doors in the early morning or evening and using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove hot air and moisture also saves energy.

Troubleshooting Common AC Problems

Your air conditioner (AC) becomes a lifesaver in the dog days. Troubleshooting common AC problems keeps you relaxed on hot days. 

Following are some common air conditioner problems, reasons, and solutions.

a. Uneven Cooling-

Your AC may not cool the rooms equally in the summer. It is a common AC issue. To avoid uneven cooling you should-

• -Check for blocked or closed vents.
• -Ensure a suitable thermostat setting.
• -Try to reset the thermostat by turning it off and then back on.

When you need to call a professional - if the problem exists, there might be an issue with the refrigerant levels or the airflow. In this case, call a professional for further diagnosis and repair.

b. Strange Noises in the AC-

Strange noises in AC in the summer are a common issue. Especially for the old-aged units. If you observe such-

• -Check for any loose parts or debris.
• -If there is a rattling sound, it could be a loose screw or a damaged fan blade.
• -If you hear a hissing noise, there might be a refrigerant leak.

When you need to call a professional- If the noise worsens, it's best to call a professional to identify the exact cause and solution.

c. AC Not Turning On-

You may find your AC is not turning on suddenly. It is another general AC issue. Do the below simple tasks to turn it on. 

• -Check the circuit breaker or fuse box to be sure about the power supply to the AC unit.
• -Turn on the thermostat and set it to "cool."
• -Replace the batteries in the thermostat.

When you need to call a professional- 

If the AC still does not turn on, there might be an electrical or compressor issue. Then, call a professional for immediate help.

Useful Tips for AC Renters

Renters with air conditioning (AC) enjoy the convenience of having a cool living space without any buying, installing, and maintaining hassle. 

But you need to take some cautionary measures for renting an AC. Otherwise you will fall into trouble on hot summer days.

Here are some tips for AC renters:

1. Discuss with Landlords about AC Maintenance- Regular maintenance is vital for AC performance. So, start conversations with the landowner to emphasize the importance of regular maintenance. 

Try to highlight how regular maintenance can prevent breakdowns and ensure efficient operation. Ask him about the maintenance schedule and request timely servicing if necessary.

2. Use portable AC unit- You can use a portable AC unit beside the central AC system of your property owner. Portable AC units can cool specific rooms. They also reduce the load on the central AC.

3. Research and use good window sealing- Talk with your property owner about using weather stripping, caulk, or foam sealants to seal gaps and cracks around windows. It helps to keep the rooms cool.

4. Thermostat setting- Discuss the thermostat setting and tell him to set it at a comfortable temperature between 75-78 degrees Fahrenheit. 

5. Be careful about electronic device use-

Turn off lights and electronics when leaving a room to reduce heat generation. It will help to keep yourself cool and save your property owner energy bills. 

6. Use natural ventilation- Cross ventilation allows fresh air to circulate. It reduces the need for the AC. Manage your property owner to arrange cross ventilation.

7. Energy-efficient model- If the AC unit is old or inefficient, discuss with the landowner the possibility of upgrading to a more energy-efficient model. 

FAQS

1. What is the best temperature to set an AC in the summer?

Answer: The best summer AC temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This is according to the U.S. Department of Energy. 

2. Which mode in AC gives the best cooling?

Answer: The cool mode is the most common and best for cooling. It is the default AC setting when turning on the AC. Set a suitable AC temperature setting when you use the cool mode, it will save energy.

3. Is auto mode good for AC?

Answer: Auto mode is good for AC health and to save energy.

Conclusion

Regular maintenance and professional servicing are vital for summer day AC issues. They ensure your AC system lasts long and runs well. If you maintain a proper maintenance routine and do some regular checks, you can optimize your AC efficiency. 

Our House of Butterfly always supports customers to keep their AC in good condition. Visit any of our houses for any help to maintain your AC unit.

We hope our tips were useful for you. If you have more questions on these issues, comment below.