Rhode Island homeowners know that having a reliable and efficient air conditioning system for the summer is more essential this year than ever, given how much extra time we’re spending inside. In fact, this is so true that CARJON is booked out until August for AC repairs this summer.
While we’re doing everything we can to provide all customers with needed air conditioner service and maintenance, we understand that you may be dealing with an AC that isn’t working properly and frustrated that help isn’t available quickly. Here are a few things you can check now on your own that could help resolve the problem, as well as our recommendation for how to avoid finding yourself in the same position next year!
1. Check Your Air Filter
The air filter on your cooling system needs to be checked and replaced regularly. Your filter prevents dirt, dust, pollen, and other airborne contaminants from circulating through the ductwork in your home and spreading through your house, but as it collects more and more particulates, it will eventually slow down air flow through your system. This can make your AC work harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, leading to more wear and tear on your system and the possibility of more frequent AC repair calls.
Replacing your air filter only takes a few seconds and can make a real difference in the performance of your system!
2. Open All the Vents
A properly designed HVAC system works by achieving a balance of air pressure—this helps keep air circulating throughout your home.
Keeping some of your vents closed in the hopes of saving money could have the opposite effect: you could start to leak conditioned air through gaps and cracks in your ductwork, wasting energy, or your AC unit’s fan will run for longer at lower speeds, leading to more wear and tear on the system.
Checking to make sure all the vents in your home are open is a great way to ensure that your AC runs efficiently, which will save you money in the long run.
3. Clean off the Outdoor Condenser Unit
Over the average year in Rhode Island, a lot of crud can build up in your yard. Take a walk outside to the outdoor condenser unit half of your system. Are there leaves or branches on or in the unit, or are weeds or bushes growing too close? If airflow into your condenser is blocked or obstructed, your AC will have a harder time keeping you comfortable, so clean it off and keep it clear of all potential obstacles.
4. Check Your Refrigerant Lines for Insulation
The refrigerant lines connecting the outdoor half of your cooling system to the indoor half should be insulated to prevent condensation, moisture issues, and energy loss. But over time, these lines can get damaged by the elements, or deteriorate. If you can see that your foam insulation isn’t doing as good of a job as it could be, it’s probably time to replace them.
5. Sign up for CARJON’s Maintenance Plan
Air conditioner maintenance keeps your AC working at its highest efficiency levels, reducing wear and tear on your equipment, and extending the lifespan of your cooling system.
For added convenience, CARJON’s maintenance program for central air offers three different residential maintenance agreements. You’ll get automatic maintenance calls for your heating and cooling systems, discounts on repairs, priority scheduling, and more. If you’re frustrated that you are having difficulty getting an HVAC technician to your home right away for service, enrolling in a maintenance plan is one of the best ways to know that you’ll get priority access to our expert technicians when you need it.
Read more about the additional health and safety precautions CARJON is taking during service calls, and feel free to give us a call with any additional questions or concerns you might have.