Whether you cool your home with a central air conditioner, a heat pump, or a ductless cooling system, regular system maintenance is essential for preventing unexpected breakdowns during our hot Montana summers.
The most important step to take before the warm weather arrives is to schedule an AC tune-up. A professional check-up by an experienced HVAC technician will identify any problems that could affect performance or lead to a breakdown. It will also extend the life of the system while ensuring your air conditioner operates at peak efficiency. This maintenance will save your money on your utility bill.
Along with a cooling system tune-up, there are other steps you can take to keep your home cool and comfortable this season:
1. Change your furnace filter at least once a month. Clean filters enable your air conditioner to operate more efficiently, causing less wear on the motors and parts. It will also keep your air ducts and home cleaner.
2. Inspect your air ducts for excessive dirt and air leaks. If air ducts look excessively dirty, schedule professional duct cleaning.
3. Replace or install weather stripping around doors, windows and baseboards. Proper insulation is just as important during the cooling season as it is during the heating season. Cracked or worn weather stripping allows cool air to escape, running up your electric bill.
4. Make sure that your home is well insulated. Fiberglass insulation is the easiest to install and the most effective. Insulation with an R factor between 30 and 49 is ideal and can save a typical home up to 10 percent on energy costs.
5. Manage the temperature with a smart thermostat. Take advantage of the latest technology to automatically optimize the temperature.
6. Block direct sunlight with drapes and window shades. Use insulated blinds that can reduce heat without blocking light.
7. Install ceiling fans. Ceiling fans circulate cool air into your living space, keeping you comfortable and making your cooling system operate more efficiently.
8. Reduce heat sources inside the home. Household activities such as washing, drying and ironing clothes, baking and cooking all make it harder for the cooling system to do its job. Use ventilation fans to reduce heat and humidity in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry area.
Get a head start on the cooling season this March, schedule your AC tune-up today and rest easy knowing your system is operating at peak efficiency.
