How to care for your A/C and save costs over the life of your unit

Nevada heat is notoriously brutal. It starts as early as May, but usually in June, and stays as late as the end of September. Also brutal is our pollen count in most months of the year. Allergenic pollen is being blown about in the air by winds throughout most of the year in northern Nevada, starting in February and persisting into November. An air conditioner in our area is a necessity and not a luxury.  In fact, Heat Advisories issued by the U.S. National Weather Service are as common to our summers as boating on our many lakes in Northern Nevada. Those of us with elderly parents, children, or pets depending on us are always concerned that the air conditioning does not fail us in our hot, hot summers. 

No one wants to come home to a broken air conditioner. No one wants to wait for the service tech to get the needed parts. No one wants to pay avoidable costs.

So, if you follow our TOP 5 AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TIPS, you’ve got a better chance at keeping your cool and keeping your money. Here goes - 

Tip #1: Change your filter – You’ll breathe easier

Unless…. You are okay with:

Reduced air quality: Clean A/C filters help keep allergens out of the air that we breathe each day. For those with allergies, air filters can be extremely beneficial by minimizing irritations. Check the air filter about once a month, more frequently if you have pets or smokers. You’ll breathe easier.

Tip #2: Change your filter – You’ll save more money

Unless…. You are okay with:

Utility Bill increases: Straining your A/C  unit’s ability to cool your home by increasing strain of pulling air through a filter choked with dirt.  The extra energy needed to run the system adds to cooling costs more than the cost of regularly changing the filter.

Tip #3: Change your filter – You’ll keep your Air Conditioning Unit working longer

Unless…. You are okay with:

Early repairs or significant replacement costs:  The strain of pulling air through a filter choked with dirt creates distress in your A/C system; the  blower and coils needlessly overheat and could fail. Filters are cheaper and easier than repairing or replacing your system due to not keeping filters clean.

You’re probably thinking, “Really? You had to tell us to change our filter three times?” 

True. we could have just given you a list of three tips for summer. But we’ve been working in the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) industry long enough to notice a pattern of  needless expense directly related to not changing air filters. We cannot emphasize enough how Mission Critical it is to change your filters regularly.

Do you need help deciding which filter is best for your A/C system? Contact us today at 775-825-6500. We can give you information on how to inspect them and when they should be replaced. You’ll also want to learn about the different types of filters that are available – there are options such as standard, pleated, electrostatic-charge, or even dual-layer! 

Now on to tips #4 and #5: 

Tip #4: Adjust A/C thermostat control  temperature to split no more than 8 degrees during the day. 

Daily shoot for a temp of 78 degrees and pump it up to 85 degrees when no one is home. According to the US Department of Energy, homeowners who do this will save an average of 10% energy costs per year. If you like it colder when home, shoot for 75, but remember, don’t adjust the thermostat more than 8 degrees in either direction so that your A/C unit doesn’t strain under the effort to get to temperature. Less strain = longer lasting.

Tip #5: Keep windows and doors shut/shades drawn

Open windows and doors let warm air inside. It is highly recommended that you close all windows and doors and close drapes when the air conditioner is turned on. This will keep the cool air inside the room and keep the temperature moderate. In addition to cooling efficiency, this will also reduce stress on the air conditioner which otherwise may cause your air conditioner to become faulty prematurely.

Calling us at 775-825-6500 is the best way to stay cool this summer! Preventive maintenance and diagnostic services can help eliminate costly repairs, so you don't have to worry about breaking your budget. You deserve better than expensive bills for an air conditioner that doesn’t work—call now!