Now that we are in the middle of the summer heat, it’s important for homeowners to understand what they can do to get the most out of their air conditioning systems. There’s more to it than just making sure that it’s running each day. Here are tips for every homeowner with a central air conditioner.

Tip #1: Schedule a maintenance appointment.

If you haven’t already done so, schedule an appointment with a cooling professional as soon as possible for cooling maintenance. The skilled and experienced technician sent to your home will thoroughly check all aspects of your system to be sure things are working as they should. He or she will also clean any dirt and built-up debris from your system to keep it running efficiently for the remainder of the summer.

If the technician detects a problem, he or she will be able to help you get it taken care of before the issue results in a total breakdown of your family’s air conditioning system. Such a breakdown can be more than just uncomfortable — it can also be dangerous for young children, elderly individuals, people with underlying health conditions, and pets.

Tip #2: Change your filter regularly.

Many homeowners mistakenly think that they don’t need to change their filter during the summer since the filter is often installed as part of the heating system. However, air passing through your home’s heating and cooling systems passes through the same filter, so you must replace the filter throughout heating and cooling season. If you aren’t sure how often to change the filter, check your system’s owner manual for guidance. Additionally, it will help for you to make note of the size and MERV-rating of the current filter so that you can reference it when buying a replacement.

Why is it so important to replace the filter? If a filter is dirty and dusty, air won’t be able to easily pass through it, and this can cause extra strain on your system. Also, air passing through a dirty filter will bring the dust and other pollutants with it when it’s pushed out through the vents in your home. This can be troubling for anyone in your home who may have respiratory problems.

Tip #3: Clean the condenser regularly.

The condenser is the outdoor part of your air conditioning system. Check it often to be sure that twigs, leaves, and branches haven’t built up in or around the unit. If they have, carefully remove the items and use your garden hose to wash away any stuck debris.

Also, it’s important to keep a minimum of two feet of clearance around your outdoor air conditioning unit for proper air flow. If you have trees, bushes, or fences too close to your unit, it can restrict the movement of air and cause premature wear and tear on your system. This could ultimately lead to a breakdown and/or overuse of your unit.

Tip #4: Check your vents.

Make sure the vents in your home aren’t blocked by furniture, curtains, toys, rugs, or other objects. This can restrict air flow and cause parts of your home to feel warm and uncomfortable. Also, if you have rooms or areas of your home where you hardly ever spend any time, close the vents and doors to these spaces so that you aren’t wasting conditioned air in rooms where nobody will enjoy it.

Tip #5: Use your ceiling fans.

Be sure your fan is rotating in a counter-clockwise direction during the warmer months of the year. This will help to push cool air back down on you and your family. Using your fan strategically can help to keep the most-used rooms of your home comfortable, even on what feel like the hottest days of the season.

Stay comfortable this summer!

With these tips, you and your family should be able to stay cool all season long. Don’t forget — Oncourse Home Solutions offers affordable Cooling Maintenance and Cooling Repair plans to help you with keeping your air conditioning system working like it should. Have questions? Give us a call at 888-801-5057 and our friendly, knowledgeable customer care representatives will be able to assist you.