Below are some of the most commonly asked questions by people about their air conditioning system, with answers provided by an air conditioning contractor.
How often should I replace my filters?
Most people who don't know anything about air conditioners know little about the importance of air flow from their unit into their homes. Pet hair, outside dust and general air that is circulated within an air conditioning unit becomes dirty. When your air conditioner is struggling to force cool air into your home then the unit works harder than it's supposed to. Equate it to smoking a pack a cigarettes and then running in a marathon;, the air flow is restricted and the only air that is getting out is polluted. Clean your filters once a month if applicable, replace them each month if they are disposable.
What are the advantages of a programmable thermostat?
Having control over when your air conditioner comes on and goes off is a great way to control your heating and cooling costs. During the day when you are not at home you do not need to waste energy. Most people who work a 9-5 job are in a controlled environment; having your home sealed up after you leave allows you to preserve the temperature in your home. During the times that you are home you can set your programmable thermostat for your comfort and since your sleep routine and work routine are constant you can set your thermostat to reflect your life. Track your heating and cooling bills and see how much better it is with a programmable thermostat than a mercury switch that is based on fluctuating temperatures.
Should I close the registers and doors to areas of the home that I do not use on a regular basis?
Many people learn from an outdated set of rules. Closing doors in a home to preserve the air temperature only makes your air conditioner work harder to cool or heat those areas. Your system is designed to heat or cool a certain amount of space; if the temperature is not met the unit will continually run in order to maintain the requested temperature. Your unit does not know that doors are closed; it only knows what temperature is requested. If you constrict its function you will have uneven temperatures when doors are opened after the unit has cycled through. Open your doors and registers to allow air flow throughout your home.
Is a system with more capacity better?
Not really; if you get a unit that is too big you will cool too little a space with too much air, and when that happens you turn a small area into a meat locker. Generally an air conditioner is based on the cubic feet that it will be cooling. If it's too large it will work in short blasts and make your system work too much. If it's too small it will run continuously and cause massive electric bills, unlike a window unit that is designed for one room only a central air unit is manufactured to cool an entire home. Find the right size based on your square footage.
What maintenance should I do on my air conditioner?
Outside maintenance can be done by you. Many times your central air unit is placed in an area that has limited foot traffic around it. It can become out of site, out of mind. Be mindful of the area around it; don't let grass grow over it and keep the area clean and dirt free if possible. The air that flows through your system comes into your home, if the filters are clogged with dirt and grass and pet hair it will be transferred into your home. Clean the outside with a hose and do not use a weed eater near any lines, most are covered with foam protection to keep the elements from damaging them.
How often should I have maintenance done on my air conditioner?
Twice a year - don't think that skipping it will not make a difference, it will. A qualified technician will service your unit and run diagnostics tests so they can determine if any problems might exist. Routine maintenance is preventative care; your system will work properly for years to come if you just exercise a little care for it. Many people get their system checked right before the hard seasons, summer and winter. You do the same for your car and you spend less time in your vehicle than you do in your home.
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