Air conditioners are one of the more expensive investments that you can make, outside of a car or a home. That means you should make sure you are spending your money wisely. With proper planning and care, your air conditioner from Snyder Heating and Air will be an investment that’ll last you a very long time. What aspects of your AC unit should you be spending money on to most effectively cool your home? The following are routine maintenance items that our specialists recommend to help cut down on the costs of cooling your home and increasing the longevity of your HVAC system.
Air Filters
A good filter will help improve the air quality both inside your home and outside. A dirty air filter will negatively impact the air quality inside your home, and make your air conditioner use more energy to keep the house cool, which is not good for the environment.
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You should change your air filter at least every 60-90 days.
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More frequent filter changes may be required if you have pets or a lot of people in your house.
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Dusty home renovations, such as anything involving sanding or sheetrock can also mean that you should probably change your air filter sooner.
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If your filter isn’t cleaned regularly, it will make your system work harder, and shorten the life of the equipment.
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Investing in a thicker filter is a good investment that will improve the indoor air quality in your home
Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can help you save money when it is used correctly. For most people, their house is empty except for possibly pets for a good portion of the day. Most programmable thermostats take advantage of this, and can be set to raise or lower the temperature to a preset level, that can reduce your energy costs, and adjust the temperature slowly before you arrive home for the day. Some models also allow for night time adjustments as well, that take advantage of most of the house being inactive to raise or lower the temperature while people are asleep and not needing the house to be as cool. Investing in a programmable thermostat will save you money down the road and improve the efficiency and energy usage. When you are selecting an air conditioner for your home, you should contact a professional to determine the proper unit size for your home. Snyder Heating and Air Jacksonville FL ‘s leading HVAC company can help you determine the proper sized unit for your home.
Regular Maintenance on Your HVAC System
A maintenance agreement is a good way to handle the regular maintenance that HVAC systems require. Most agreements have a technician come out twice – once prior to the cooling season and once prior to the heating season – to inspect the system and make sure that it is running efficiently. Signing up for a maintenance agreement can help you save energy and catch some minor problems before they become major issues that necessitate a new system or costly repairs. At Snyder Heating and Air, Jacksonville residents can be assured that only the best technicians are servicing their homes. The staff at Snyder is up to date on the newest technologies and changes in the HVAC field.
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If you have an outside air conditioner, you should clean the area around it frequently in addition to changing the filter because leaves, dirt and other debris can shorten the life of your system.
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You should also trim back any bushes or grass that might be growing up around the unit because these can make it harder for the system to draw in air, and increase your utility bills.
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Before the air conditioning season starts, you should check and make sure that you are prepared for it.
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Other things that you can do, to help offset energy bills include closing blinds and drapes during the hottest part of the day and turning off lights that aren’t in use at the time.
Invest Wisely
Air conditioners are one of the pieces of equipment that the more you put into them when you are purchasing them, the longer they will last. You should buy the most energy-efficient unit that your budget allows because, on average, it will last you for at least 10 years if not longer. The more efficient a unit that you get, the more of a return on your investment you have the potential of seeing in your monthly energy bills. With Snyder Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electric, Jacksonville residents can be assured that a qualified technician will come out and provide a professional estimate to help them make the best choices when it is time for a new HVAC system.
There are many ways the money you spend on your AC unit can help you save money later. For more expert information about buying or maintaining your Jacksonville, FL home’s HVAC system, contact Snyder Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electric – your top choice for air conditioning products and services for over 40 years. Our trained technicians and knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you with any home heating and cooling issues that you might have.
