How to Keep Your AC Working in Summer Heat

Are you a Woodbridge resident that’s looking for ways to ensure your family’s comfort during each season? Are you especially worried about the summer heat and whether or not your air conditioning system can be counted on?

If so, then you need to learn all that you can about how to keep your AC working in the summer heat. Doing so can help you extend the life of your air conditioning system and ensure a cool climate all summer long!

See below for an in-depth guide on how to keep your air conditioner unit working, even when the intense summer heat is upon you.

1. Change Your Air Filter Often

Most homeowners just assume that the condition of their air conditioning system is out of their control. They believe that AC repair services are the only ones that have a part to play in how long the system lasts. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

There’s one simple thing you can do to ensure the functionality of your AC unit for the long haul: change your air filter often. Air filters help block out any dirt or dust from getting inside your AC system and cycled through your house once more.

But as the filter catches those dust and dirt particles, the filter itself gets too thick to suck air through. This forces your air conditioning system to work harder to cycle air through the system at the same rate.

Since it’s already working harder to keep the climate at your desired temperature during the hot months of winter, a dirty air filter can cause your hvac unit to break down.

Make sure that you’re generous with how frequently you change your air filter during the summer months. Set up a mental reminder for every time to replace your filter directly after you pay your mortgage or rent each month.

2. Schedule Routine HVAC Maintenance

Of course, not all of the burden has to fall on you for extending the life of your AC system. You should plan to have a professional oversee the condition and maintenance of your entire HVAC system regularly.

Take the time to schedule and hire a professional HVAC maintenance service to provide all of the necessary tasks that your air conditioning system requires. This will guarantee that you don’t experience any major setbacks all summer long.

At Briggs Heating and Cooling, we offer routine inspections that include:

• Lubricate all bearings and motors
• Inspect for any potential obstructions within the overall system
• Assess the current condition of the system
• Clean outdoor coils, piping, and evaporator drain to prevent clogs and leaks
• Analyze the electrical components of the system, such as connections and voltage draw

The list goes on and on. We take pride in identifying any potential issues before they disrupt you and your family’s comfort. Once we find them, we take measures to fix them and/or prevent them as quickly as possible.

For best results, we recommend scheduling a maintenance visit every spring and fall, to make sure the HVAC system is running efficiently when you need it most.

3. Keep Your Thermostat at a Reasonable Temperature

Virginia summers can be brutal. We completely understand why you might be tempted to lower the temperature in your house to a very cool temp. However, setting it too low can compromise the efficiency of your system.

We recommend that you keep in somewhere between the 68º to 72º Fahrenheit window. You can do this by setting your programmable thermostat to the temperature you want, and by putting the fan speed on auto. This will ensure that your entire family is comfortable, while also giving your HVAC system time to breathe.

The lower the temperature that you set it at, the more energy that your HVAC system has to burn through to achieve it. Setting it in the predetermined temperature range might also help you save on your energy bill from month to month.

If you set the temperature to low, then there’s a change the AC system never gets it down to your desired temp. That means your system will be running non-stop, which can quickly lead to it overheating.

4. Control the Natural Lighting

Who doesn’t enjoy natural lighting in their home? It provides a beautiful light source that’s easy to look at and makes your home feel more spacious. It can also provide you with several health benefits!

However, it can quickly take a toll on your HVAC system during the middle of summer, if you’re not careful. The UV rays seeping into your home will quickly raise the temperature in the house, forcing your AC system to combat it.

The trick is to regulate natural light throughout the day. Be selective about the blinds that you open. If you feel one room getting too warm, close the blinds to provide your system some relief.

5. Up Your Insulation

Contrary to popular belief, insulation isn’t just for trapping in heat. It serves both sides to the same coin: keeping cool air in and blocking hot air from seeping inside your home.

If you have sufficient insulation in your walls, but still notice that the temperature is sliding in your home, then it means the cool air is escaping elsewhere. The most common area is the ceiling if your attic isn’t properly insulated.

Investing in more insulation can also help lower your energy bill each month, as it will retain the same temperature for longer, requiring your system to turn on less often.

Keep Your AC Working This Summer With These Tips

Now that you have seen all of the different ways that you can keep your AC working during the harsh summer months, be sure to use these tips to your advantage.

Be sure to read this article for more information on the 7 ways to avoid hot and cold spots within your home.

For more inquiries, please be sure to visit our A/C maintenance page and we will be happy to assist you further.