Before the long, the scorching weather of the Fort Worth, TX, summer will be in full effect. As the temperature outside rises, you and your family will probably start to rely pretty heavily on your household air conditioner for comfort. However, the more frequently the AC is running, the more expensive your monthly cooling bills will be. Plus, all of that extra usage can put excessive wear and tear on the equipment, leading to a shorter life expectancy and more potential problems. Fortunately, there are a handful of measures you can take to make things easier on your air conditioner this summer and improve its energy efficiency.
1. Schedule a Professional Tune-Up
There’s virtually nothing more beneficial that you can do for your AC unit than scheduling professional maintenance. Ideally, you should have your cooling system tuned up at least once each year, and the older the appliance is, the more imperative the service becomes. And if you want to keep your AC unit as efficient as possible during the hottest time of year, it would be an excellent choice to schedule a tune-up during the late spring or early summer.
At Titan Air Solutions, we offer thorough air conditioning maintenance for residents of the greater Fort Worth area. During a tune-up visit, one of our expert technicians will thoroughly clean any dust, dirt, and random debris that has accumulated on and within your cooling system. They’ll also make any necessary adjustments to get the appliance running more smoothly and cooling your household more effectively. As a result, your air conditioner will be able to consistently circulate cool air without straining itself, which means that less energy will be required. Plus, if you keep up with maintenance every year, the appliance will have a longer lifespan and be much less likely to suffer malfunctions or breakdowns.
2. Get Your Ductwork Cleaned
If your home uses a central air HVAC system, then your household ductwork plays a huge role in the efficiency of your air conditioner. Whenever you crank up the AC to cool down, all of the conditioned air must pass through the air ducts before it reaches the different areas of your home. However, various contaminants will accumulate inside those ducts over time, including dust, dirt, pollen, mold, and small debris. Eventually, if enough of those contaminants are allowed to build up, they can start to hamper your cooling system’s ability to effectively do its job.
When your home’s air ducts are obstructed or overly dirty, your air conditioner will have to increase its air pressure to push past the contaminants. When that happens, your energy costs rise, your comfort becomes less consistent, and the health of your AC unit starts to decline. If you enlist local professionals to clean your ductwork at the start of the summer, you can ensure that your AC unit has clean, open pathways to circulate the cool air you and your family need. Plus, if your ducts are harboring leaks or any other damage, those issues will be uncovered during the cleaning, which may end up saving you some hassle down the road.
3. Clean Your Household Vents
After your home’s conditioned air travels through your ducts, it must also move through the various air vents around the living space. But just like your ductwork, those vents will gradually accumulate dust and dirt, which can be quite detrimental to the efficiency and performance of your air conditioner. The good news is that household air vents are pretty easy to clean, and you should be able to take care of each one in no more than an hour or two. First and foremost, you should make sure that there’s no furniture or clutter blocking the airflow of any of your vents. Then, you’ll need to remove the cover panel from each vent and use the extension hose on a vacuum cleaner to remove the contaminants from within. If possible, this is a chore that you should complete every month, but the beginning of the summer is as good a time as any to get it done.
4. Replace the Air Filter
Your air conditioner’s air filter has an extremely important job. Whenever the system is cycling, it’s consistently pulling air through the filter, which, in turn, traps all of the airborne contaminants. That way, instead of working into the appliance and worsening the quality of your indoor air, the particles of dust, dirt, and pollen instead get caught in the filter. However, these air filters can only function for so long before they become very dirty or clogged. When that happens, it prevents the AC unit from achieving sufficient airflow, which forces it to work harder and waste energy. Plus, it can negatively affect your home comfort and the overall health of the cooling system as well.
The start of the Fort Worth summer is an excellent time to switch your AC filter out for a brand-new one. That way, it will be nice and clean during the time of year when you rely most heavily on your cooling system. And going forward, it’s important to make this task a regular habit. On average, fiberglass filters should be replaced every 30 days, and pleated filters should be replaced every 90 days.
5. Use Your Curtains Wisely
Many homeowners aren’t aware that their curtains and blinds can be effective tools for conserving energy during the summer. When the weather gets uncomfortably hot, consider closing some or all of the curtains and blinds around your home. For one thing, this will keep some of the heat from direct sunlight out of your dwelling. Additionally, it will keep cool air from escaping through the windows, allowing you to stay cool and comfortable without having to keep your AC unit running all day. Over an entire summer, this can save you quite a bit of money on cooling costs and help you and your family stay consistently comfortable.
6. Clean Your Outdoor Unit
If you neglect your air conditioner’s outdoor unit for long periods, there’s a high likelihood that things like leaves, twigs, and random debris will accumulate on and around it. When that happens, it can prevent your cooling system from circulating air effectively, leading to decreased comfort and more energy being required. Luckily, this is a pretty easy problem to solve, and staying on top of it can make a noticeable difference. Before the summer weather gets too hot, do what you can to clear the area around your outdoor unit. Rake away any piles of leaves, cut away any overgrown grass, and sweep away any accumulated debris. In addition to improving your air conditioner’s energy efficiency, this should help keep the system healthy and extend its life expectancy.
At Titan Air Solutions, we’re a locally-owned and operated company proudly serving the greater Fort Worth area. Our expert HVAC professionals can handle all of your maintenance, repair, and installation needs for your heating and cooling systems. We also offer high-quality ductwork and indoor air quality services. Our team members are highly trained to work with all major brands and models, and they have over 30 years of combined experience in the field. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, give us a call today!
