As fall approaches, you may be looking forward to cooler days and nights. Sometime soon, you will be shutting off your air conditioner until next year. But before you do, there are a few things that ought to be on your checklist for end-of-summer A/C maintenance. If you get this done now, before you switch to heating, you won’t be surprised by maintenance problems once the weather warms up again.
The first thing you can do is to check on the function of your air filter. The air filter prevents particles from infiltrating your home from the outside. These particles can affect your health, so it’s important that your filter is clean. You should be checking it monthly, and plan to change it out (or wash it, if you have a washable filter) at least every few months.
Then look at the coils on your exterior a/c unit. Dirty coils can decrease the efficiency of your air conditioning. Using a hose and a nylon brush or broom, gently brush away and wash the fins. Do not use a pressure washer. While you are outside, take a moment to make sure there are no obstructions blocking airflow around your unit. Maintenance like this should be done in fall, before you shut your A/C down, and in spring, before you begin using it again. Finally, when you are done for the year, cover your A/C unit to protect it from the elements.
As you are working through your end-of-summer A/C maintenance, before you turn it off, you should be looking to use your A/C in the most efficient manner. Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency urges you to continue to conserve energy wherever possible by setting your thermostat to between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius while you are home, and at least 28 degrees Celsius while you are away.
If you need help with your end-of-summer A/C maintenance, or when you need expert advice about your home’s comfort, contact us at Arpi’s Industries Ltd. We’ve been proud to serve the Calgary area for more than 50 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Calgary, Alberta about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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