AC Repair Tips to Help Homeowners Get Ready for Summer

Spring has sprung. The end of the school year is right around the corner, and summer is fast approaching. Cold weather is in the rearview mirror, and it is time for the long cooling season.

We so appreciate the coming of warm weather: there are so many outdoor activities to enjoy during this time. However, during the summer, the air also becomes more than warm; it really can get pretty hot and very humid. Seeking comfort, we find great relief by stepping inside air-conditioned spaces; Texans spend about 90% of their time indoors during the cooling season. Since it gets so hot and humid, it is good to maximize the benefits of air conditioners to increase the enjoyment of air conditioner comfort. How can you maximize comfort?

Work Out Acceptable Comfort Zones

“Comfort” is extremely subjective, and it is not unusual for family members to disagree about the best indoor temperature. However, turning the temperature up and down is hard on the system and does not produce the desired results. Comfort generally lies between 72⁰ and 78⁰.

• Cooling a space requires cooling everything in the space—walls, floors, ceilings, and furniture. A sudden setting change cannot cool all of these surfaces immediately. It will take about 30 minutes to cool everything, so “bumping” the thermostat up a few degrees still takes longer than you think.
• If you like it cool, experiment with temperatures between 72⁰ and 74⁰. Temperature below 72⁰ is expensive to maintain.
• If comfort levels are tempered by the budget, try a setting between 75⁰ and 78⁰. Temperatures above 78⁰ do not allow the air conditioner to remove enough moisture from the air. Everything will feel “sticky,” and mold or mildew may grow on wet surfaces in bathrooms or kitchens.
• Most thermostats have scheduling functions, use them to schedule any temperature changes. Scheduled changes can both maximize energy (cost) savings and comfort levels.

Keep Up With AC Repair and Maintenance

The mechanical and electrical components in the air conditioner system need regular AC Repair and maintenance to perform efficiently. That includes:

• Changing the air filter regularly—at least every three months.
• Cleaning any collected debris from the outdoor condenser unit.
• Replace the batteries in the thermostat annually.
• An annual preventative maintenance check from an AC Repair professional. This ensures that every part of the system is well cared for.

Use Ceiling Fans Properly

Elementary school students learn that heat rises, but homeowners often forget this fact. Cool air pushes the warmest air up and it stays up until moved by another force. A ceiling fan can push the air down and mix it with the cooler air, making the entire space much more comfortable.

• Find the small black switch on the ceiling fan. This switch changes the direction of the fan rotation.
• When the fan turns counterclockwise, it pushes the air down to mix with the air in the rest of the room.

Timely Use of Window Dressings

Solar energy is responsible for bringing the summer heat. If you keep the blinds and drapes open during the heat of the day, you are inviting solar energy into your home. The US Department of Energy suggests that solar gain may contribute about 100 to indoor temperatures. Close the blinds or drapes during the daytime and open them during the cool of the day.

Get Ready for Summer with these AC Repair Tips

Let All Star A/C & Heating Services provide the peace of mind you need for this summer’s heat by scheduling a springtime HVAC maintenance appointment to address any AC repair needed. We have a seasoned team of AC repair technicians who will inspect, clean, and make suggestions on any repairs needed to keep you and your family comfortable this summer.