Florida residents know exactly how hot the weather can be in the summer months. Being indoors can offer respite, but you’re mostly dependent on how your air conditioning in Boca Raton is functioning. The last thing you want to deal with is an AC unit breakdown. Doing a quick ‘air conditioning repair near me’ online search may be the only helpful option in finding a professional technician to get your unit up and running.
Having said that, you can prevent several issues with your air conditioning in Florida through routine maintenance and regular air conditioning service. It can prevent small technical glitches from turning into major problems or safety issues.
You can perform visual inspections yourself to monitor the unit’s performance. It all begins with gaining a fair understanding of how your AC unit works.
The Basics of Air Conditioning in Boca Raton
Before performing an air conditioning repair near me search, you should know a few AC unit basics. Most air conditioners have two basic components: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit.
The indoor unit, or the evaporator, is typically located in a central duct near your furnace. The outdoor unit, also called compressor or condenser, is usually placed outside the house.
If your home has a heat pump instead of a furnace, the indoor unit will be located in the air handler. Regardless, the basic parts of the unit will be similar.
The following tips will come in handy in maintaining your air conditioning in Boca Raton in good shape.
Keeping Your Air Conditioning in Florida in Top Condition
x
1. Clean It Carefully
Whether or not you get to the point of performing a frantic air conditioning repair near me search depends on how clean your unit is. You should regularly clean the fins of your AC unit with a soft brush. Remember, the fins are extremely delicate and will easily damage if you’re not careful.
Some units may require homeowners to unscrew and lift the covering box to clean them. You should refer to the instructional manual provided by the manufacturer to know how to open the box without damaging the fins.
2. Trim Foliage
Outdoor air conditioning components aren’t exactly aesthetically pleasing, which is why many homeowners cover them up with foliage. However, this is a grave mistake.
AC units need a sufficient amount of airflow from all sides to perform optimally. Plants, shrubs, and fences can hinder this. It is, therefore, best to plant any foliage around three feet away from the unit.
You should also regularly clean up the leaves and other debris surrounding the unit. Keep bushes and trellises trimmed to improve the airflow around your AC unit.
3. Use a Programmable Thermostat
Using a programmable thermostat should be on your to-do list before you start with your air conditioning repair near-me search. It will reduce the wear and tear of your unit. Setting the indoor temperature by day and time can go a long way in reducing the unit’s overall usage. Less usage translates into less wear and tear of the unit, and hence, increased lifespan.
4. Change the Filter
One more task for which you don’t need to perform an air conditioning repair near me search is changing the air filters. You can do it yourself. Most people, however, refrain from changing them until they get extremely dirty, which ultimately lowers the performance of their AC unit. Remember, a dirty filter hinders airflow. Hence, it should be changed frequently.
5. Do Not Close Registers Completely
A lot of homeowners think that they can regulate their indoor temperature by adjusting the register openings (air vents). As a result, they close some registers in the cooler rooms and force the air to travel to the warmer ones, thereby balancing the temperature throughout the house. However, this is not advisable as closing registers completely can shut down your unit.
If you must balance the temperature in your house, do so by slightly closing the registers. Further, ensure that the supply vents are never blocked.
6. Watch out for Disconnected Ducts
Another aspect to look into before doing an air conditioning repair near me search is your ductwork. You should check your ducts to see if any component has come loose, especially if they are located outside the air-conditioned space in your home. You never know, part of the reason why your home isn’t cooling could be because the supply duct is sending all the cooled air to the attic. Remediating this can make a difference to your indoor cooling almost instantly.
7. Level the Unit
Instead of performing an air conditioning repair near me search, you can focus this time on leveling your unit. As the outdoor unit continues to sit on the same pad upon which it was placed, the soil beneath it can settle deeper. This disturbs the leveling of the unit, priming it to fail before time. It is, therefore, important to check the leveling and use rot-resistant shims to reinstate it.
8. Avail of Professional Air Conditioning Service
It is a great idea to have a professional check and clean your AC unit every year before the summer months arrive. Air conditioning service pros will examine the control box, compressor and tubing, coils, fan motor, and blades, among other things. Further, they will check the refrigerant level and adjust it, as necessary.
While getting air conditioning service will cost you, it will be well worth the money. You don’t want your air conditioning in Florida to break down on the hottest day of the year. Preventive AC maintenance should always be preferred over expensive repairs and replacements resulting from neglect.
Conclusion
While you can certainly grab your smartphone and look for professional air conditioning services through an air conditioning repair near me online search, you should know the basics of AC unit maintenance. From cleaning the unit and changing the filters to minimizing shrubbery and getting a programmable thermostat, every small measure counts towards the AC unit’s upkeep. It is important to know your unit to get the most out of it. A well-maintained AC unit will not only give you proper indoor cooling and last long, but it will also save you thousands of dollars in energy costs.
Contact Our Skilled Air Conditioning Service Technicians Today
It is important to look after your air conditioning in Boca Raton. Having it examined by a professional at least once a year helps ensure that the unit, the ductwork, and the connections are ready to perform when warm weather arrives. No need to do an air conditioning repair near me search; we will make it easy for you. Call the experts at Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration at (561) 782-2779 to find out how we can help you. You can also visit our website to schedule a service call.
