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Author:
James C

The summer has finally hit and now you are spending more time indoors with the air conditioner on. You have the thermostat set on 75 degrees and are feeling pretty good until you realize that its getting hotter inside. Before you know it, it is 90 degrees in your house and you are calling the air conditioning repair company. Problem is that it is the busy season and they may not be able to get to you for a week. What a disaster. The sad thing is that this could have probably all been prevented with a little maintenance.

To have a smooth running HVAC system, you need to have a program of regular maintenance. Before every cooling season, have an air conditioning service come check your system. It is usually a minimum charge and can save you hundreds of dollars by catching problems early. It will also prevent the aggravation of having no air conditioning.

In a normal A/C service check, the company will perform the following tests. They will check the condensing unit's coils, the compressor, the belts, operating pressures, operating temperatures and the Freon level. They will typically oil any components that need oil such as the fan and condenser. The cost of the service is usually fairly cheap and most companies will also run specials in the spring. Keep an eye out for a sale flyer.

There are also things that you yourself can do to help maintain your homes HVAC system. The most important thing of course is to change your air filter often. They only cost a buck or two and protect not only your air quality but also keep dirt from clogging your AC coils. Replace them at least once a month. Another simple thing you can do is to hose off your outside AC compressor. At least once a month, take a hose and rinse off the unit to clear it of dirt, dust, grass clippings and leaves. If the unit becomes clogged, it will have to work much harder to get your home cool. Lastly, do not turn your unit off completely in the summer. Instead, turn the temperature up when you leave your home. Turning it off will just mean that your AC will have to work incredibly hard when you get home to cool off your house.

That's all it takes to have a reliable A/C system. Through simple maintenance and regular checkups, you can have a system that serves you well for years to come.

James C operates a website providing Home Improvement Tips.

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to HVAC... Saving On Home Energy Costs These days, a major factor for many home improvement projects is the need to cut down on energy costs by making the home more energy efficient. Many home owners are finding that simple projects that require little initial investment will save them a bundle in the summer and the winter, when heating and cooling costs really begin to add up. Here are some areas and ideas you can check on to make sure that your home is wasting the least possible amount of energy. Water: Water in any form is a general conservation concern, and there are areas throughout North America where water is at such a premium that usage is measured in much the same way as electricity; through the use of meters. The same methods for conserving your water in the home can also be used when it comes to cutting down on your gas or electric bill by watching your hot water intake. A major area for the loss of hot water is the bath. In order to cut costs, consider installing a water smart showerhead- these easy to screw on water savers can be bought both as attachable heads, which are mounted directly on your shower spout, or as heads attached to a tube which allows for flexibility and a large range of motion. The best water saving heads will have several controls to adjust the flow and pressure of water. You should also take a look at repairing any leaky taps in your home, whether in the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. A leaky tap can mean hundreds of gallons of water used needlessly every day, in addition to the annoyance of the noise. Heating and Cooling: The main factors in energy use as far as homes go is in their heating in the wintertime and cooling in the form of air conditioning in the summer time. Some basic home improvement ideas can help you maintain a static temperature in your home...