Given that our climate seems to be getting hotter every year, air conditioning units are beginning to seem like one of the most crucial inventions ever made. Indeed, in the past decade, summer months have lasted longer than they used to. But thanks to the air conditioner, we can survive the hot season like it’s nothing.
Aside from supplying the needed comfort in the heat, air conditioners also ensure that heat and humidity levels don’t cause serious damage. However, the benefits of your air conditioning unit can be lost if care is not taken. Air conditioners love their privacy. They don’t like anything standing in their way.
So, if you want your air conditioning unit to function to its best ability, don’t allow anything to block it, whether it is a window unit, floor vent, or regular wall. Blocking an air conditioner is one of the ways to make it lose its efficiency even while your energy bill keeps running. But you can escape this situation. Let’s begin by looking at some of the things you should keep away from your AC.
What to Keep Away From Your Air Conditioner
One of the most likely obstacles to the proper functioning of your HVAC system is your furniture. Before placing your furniture in its position, first look out for the wall vents or regular floor and make sure it isn’t going to obstruct. Whether it’s bookshelves, sofas, headboards, or cabinets, they should steer clear of the air conditioner.
House plants are another culprit in reducing AC efficiency. Keep them far away, at least three feet from any air vent. After all, cold air won’t have a healthy effect on them either. Most potted plants fare better in warm and humid environments.
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Curtains are a likely obstruction to the AC unit. That’s because it’s usually preferable to install vents under windows to allow for the most functional furniture arrangement. However, this becomes a problem when the curtains come into the picture. You can solve this challenge by avoiding floor-length curtains. If not, then ensure that your curtains are well-parted so they don’t obstruct airflow from the vent.
Keep your dryer away from your air conditioning unit. The reason? It produces lots of heat which creates more work for the HVAC unit. For outdoor air conditioning units, there should be no trees or bushes close enough to stand in the way of optimum air circulation.
Many homeowners make the mistake of covering their air conditioner floor vents with area rugs. Not only will the rugs limit air supply from the HVAC unit and make it work extra hard to cool the room, but they also run the risk of damage. Electronic devices such as TVs are also a threat to the AC. The same goes for stoves and ovens.
What Maintenance Should Be Done on an AC Unit?
If you want your HVAC unit to continue caring for you, get ready to do the same. You should carry out several maintenance responsibilities for an efficient air conditioner. This will ensure that your HVAC lasts much longer.
First, inspect the filter and see if it needs a replacement. The cleaner your AC filter, the higher the air quality in the building. For AC units with permanent filters, clean them with running water and leave them to dry before you restore them. Also, clean the indoor unit. They usually develop lots of dust and even mold. Wipe it clean with a cloth or feather duster as frequently as possible.
Another useful AC safety tip is checking the insulation. Now and again, inspect the insulation around the HVAC copper piping. The piping conveys refrigerants between the evaporator and the condenser. The insulator is the foam rubber material that surrounds the pipework. It is usually black or white. If the insulator is damaged in any way, contact an HVAC repairer to fix it.
Why Is My AC Not Cooling?
The most likely reason why your air conditioner isn’t cooling is a blocked filter. There are a million and one items that could clog them. These range from dust and hair from pets to dirt. If you clean the filters regularly, you shouldn’t have this problem.
Another reason for no or low cooling in your air conditioner is that the refrigerant is either leaking or getting finished. In this case, seek professional help. The AC coils could also be frozen or dirty. Leaking air as a result of damage to the ductwork in the attic is another likely reason. If the ducts have leaks, it leads to a drop in your AC’s cooling capacity.
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What Is Preventive Maintenance in AC?
AC preventive maintenance entails the various maintenance steps you should take to keep your AC in good shape. Through these steps, you can ensure that the AC is protected from harm, which could be dirt or dust.
With preventive maintenance steps, which are pretty easy to get done, your air conditioner will last longer. You will also not need to call the repairer too frequently. If you had to, you would have spotted a problem pretty early to avoid more serious or costly damage or repair.
How To Repair an AC?
There are a number of air conditioner problems you can solve without calling a professional, even with the best brands of AC. For example, you can solve the challenge of uneven cooling by cleaning the vents or inadequate cooling by setting the thermostat to the right temperature or cleaning the evaporator coils.
If your air conditioner doesn’t cool at all, all you may need to do is clean the evaporator and condenser coils. However, you may need to call the service personnel if the compressor is faulty or the refrigerant level is low.
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