Make Sure Your AC Is Ready for a Heat Wave in Maumelle, AR

Your air conditioner may be able to stand up to a lot during the summer, but it does have its limits. A brutal heat wave in Maumelle, AR might be too much for an old or underpowered AC to handle. Keep these tips in mind when protecting your AC against heat waves.

1. Change Your Air Filters

Your HVAC system’s air filters capture dust, pollen and other pollutants that regularly move through your home’s air ducts. Naturally, these filters get quite dirty over time and need regular cleaning or replacing. Check your filter every month, and clean or replace it at least every three months.

If you know you’re heading into a heat wave, take some time to check your filters if you haven’t done so recently. Dirty filters can clog your air conditioner, and you’ll need it to be at its best to deal with high temperatures.

2. Clean Your Air Conditioner

Take the time to clean your outdoor unit if you want it to work at peak efficiency. Make sure that there aren’t any sticks, twigs, grass clippings or other debris around the base of the outdoor unit. Also, ensure that you don’t have any patio furniture or other large items near the unit.

In order to work at its best, your AC needs plenty of space around it. It’s a good idea to do check around the condenser to ensure there is good airflow when facing a heat wave.

3. Schedule Maintenance With an HVAC Contractor

Your air conditioner requires regular maintenance to keep working efficiently. While some of that involves the things we’ve already mentioned, you need to leave certain things, such as checking refrigerant levels, tightening electrical connections, and replacing worn parts, to the professionals. You need to schedule at least one AC tune-up every year, so contact an HVAC contractor if this hasn’t been done in a while.

4. Check Your Thermostat’s Programming

If you have a programmable thermostat, check your programming if there’s a heat wave coming. According to reports from Energy Star, the optimal thermostat temperatures for the summer are 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you are at home during the day, 82 degrees when you’re asleep, and 85 degrees when you’re not home. Those temperatures may seem high, but 78 degrees is preferable to 90 degrees and up.

5. Seal Gaps in Your Home

If you really want to beat the heat this summer, take the time to go through your home and seal any gaps around your windows and doors. These gaps may not seem like much, but they let cold air escape from your home and let warm air in. This forces your air conditioner to work even harder to maintain a comfortable temperature.

You can seal gaps with weather stripping or caulk, both of which can be found at any hardware store. Once you’ve sealed your windows, double-check to make sure they’re closed tightly.

6. Look for Signs That Your AC Needs Repair

You’ll know if your air conditioner completely breaks down and stops working in the middle of a heatwave, but most AC systems show signs of trouble before they get to that point. These signs include:

• Rising energy bills
• Warm air blowing from your vents when your air conditioner is on
• Sounds such as thumping, grinding, or screeching coming from your AC unit
• Musty smells when you use your AC
• Water dripping from your AC unit
• Poor airflow in your home

If you notice any of these signs, reach out for AC repairs right away. It’s much easier to fix small air conditioning problems before they get out of hand.

Having your AC running at its best before a heat wave keeps your home safe, comfortable and energy efficient. Contact Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling today to find out about all our HVAC services.

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