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How To Stay Cool In The Summer

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During the summer, there is an increase in repairs as air conditioners work overtime in an attempt to stay cool. Central air conditioners contain two separate components -- the condenser and the evaporator. You can usually find the condenser on the outside of your house sitting atop a concrete block. The evaporator is a coil that is mounted above the furnace in your main air conditioning unit. If either of these components is not working correctly, you'll need to call a professional for repair. However, there are still several things you can do to diagnose and repair your unit if it's not operating correctly.

Cleaning the Unit

Making sure the unit is clean can help you save money and keep your conditioner running well into the summer. Before you do any work, make sure you cut the power to the unit. If your unit has an exposed plenum, you can clean it yourself. Otherwise, if it's inside of a sealed sheet metal box, don't go anywhere near it. Start by removing the foil insulation at the front of the plenum. You may need to remove the tape holding it in place. Don't destroy the tape, because you'll need to replace it. Use a stiff brush to clean the evaporator, and then clean the tray below the unit. This tray carries condensation away from the evaporator. You can also pour 1/2 tablespoon of bleach into the weep hole to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.

Check the area around your condenser. If there are any weeds, grass or vines, cut them away so they don't obstruct airflow. Use a commercial coil cleaner to clean out the condenser. Follow the instructions on the cleaner to flush out the coil, but do not use a hose. Let the coil dry naturally. The fins on the condenser can be cleaned with a soft brush, but you'll need to remove the grille to access the fins. Be very careful, since these fins are made of aluminum and can be damaged easily. Finally, make sure the unit is level. Make adjustments to the unit until it is level to help keep it running optimally.

Avoid a Freeze Up

Air conditioners freeze up when the pipes are working overtime and become frozen. It sounds obvious, but there are certain precautions you can take to prevent this from happening. Before it gets hot, have your AC check for the proper levels of refrigerant. Low levels can cause your unit to freeze. While you're at it, have a professional check for any leaks.

Make sure the air filters in your home are changed regularly. Dirty air filters restrict air flow can can cause humidity to collect and pool around the coils. Undersized ducts are another problem. This is why you need the right size unit for your home. Getting a unit that is too large may seem like a good idea, but if it's too powerful, it can cause problems.

Don't run the air conditioner on days when the temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This can cause your unit to freeze up. If you want to keep the filtration going in your home, then use the fan option on your units. This will also reduce the level of humidity in your house, which in many cases is all you need to feel cool.

Charlie Teschner started MESA Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in 1982. Charlie has a journeyman and master plumber’s license. He was raised with a strong work ethic and he now applies those values to tasks such as Longmont, CO heating repair.

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