WASHINGTON 鈥� Homeowners should prepare their air conditioners for the hot summer months before the temperatures really start to rise.
The spring and summer months are a busy time for contractors.
鈥淥ur phones are ringing off the hook,鈥� says Jamie Edwards, of Edwards Air in Manassas, Virginia.
He is telling all of his customers to briefly run their air conditioners to see whether they’re working properly.
鈥淲hat I recommend to everyone is turn the unit on early in the season,鈥� Edwards says.
鈥淕o outside; make sure your outdoor unit is running; make sure your filter is clean. Let it run for 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure the air that is coming out is nice and cool.鈥�
Over the winter, AC units are under constant pressure, and homeowners may not know whether something鈥檚 wrong until a heat wave strikes.
鈥淚f you have a pinhole leak and you turn it on, the unit will not cool,鈥� Edwards says.
He suggests hiring a professional to check the entire system every couple of years.
Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can reduce your energy use by up to 15 percent, .
, replace old air conditioners with energy-efficient models.
Using a ceiling fan will save money 鈥� the thermostat can be raised by about 4 degrees without compromising comfort. Air conditioning units benefit from shade, so to boost your unit鈥檚 efficiency, plant trees or shrubs nearby.聽 During a heat wave, set the AC fan speed on high 鈥� except during humid weather.
