The tech is Joseph “Joey” Stokes, performing a service on a customer’s HVAC, air conditioning unit, or package unit. Keeping your cool this year may be easier if you give your air-conditioning system a tune-up before the weather gets any warmer. All it takes is a few simple steps to make sure your air-conditioning system is ready to properly cool your home. Here are some tips from the U.S. Department of Energy and the experts at Coleman Heating and Air Conditioning, a brand of the Unitary Products Group of York–a Johnson Controls Company:
- Keeping the cool air inside is just as important as keeping the warm air outside. Caulking, weather stripping, and adding additional attic insulation will help keep cool air inside during the summer.
- Make sure the air is flowing properly through the vents. Inspect the ductwork for holes or separated joints, and hire a professional to repair them.
- Add insulation around air-conditioning ducts, when they are located in unconditioned spaces, such as attics, crawl spaces and garages; do the same for whole house fans where they open to the exterior or attic.
- Homeowners should check the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of their air-conditioning unit. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the unit is and the lower your utility bills will be. Upgrading to a higher SEER rating can save homeowners hundreds of dollars a year on their energy bills.
If you find issues that you are unsure of, be sure to contact a reputable repair specialist like Haire Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. We will be able to properly make any adjustments and alert you to any potential issues to be aware of. If the air-conditioning unit needs to be replaced, homeowners should be aware of the U.S. Department of Energy legislation that requires all new, central air-conditioning units manufactured after January 23, 2006, to have a SEER of at least 13. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page for a bit more information on new units. You may want to consider a more energy-efficient model. New models are Energy Star qualified, use environmentally friendly refrigerant and have high-efficiency scroll compressors that enhance reliability and contribute to the extremely quiet operation of the units. Whether your AC is in tip-top shape or you find something “a little off,” just remember that maintenance check-ups can go a long way toward keeping your home cool and your wallet full. Have more questions? Give us a call, we are always happy to help.