Avoid AC headaches: Tips to prevent costly repairs

Did you know that extreme heat affects infants and small children more quickly and dramatically than adults because of their size? Their core temperature can increase three to five times faster than that of an adult, and heatstroke can happen when the body’s core temperature reaches 40.5 C (105°F).

We might be known as the Great White North, but there’s no shortage of heat during a Canadian summer, and that’s a good reason to be thankful you have air conditioning!

With climate change bringing hotter heat and extended heat waves, ensuring your air conditioning is running at maximum efficiency is a critical responsibility of every property owner, especially those cohabitating with seniors, children, and people with breathing conditions.

Thankfully, there are some simple preventative maintenance tips you can follow to ensure your AC is A-OK!

“If you want to keep your unit in full working order during the peak summer months for heat, the first thing to do is check your furnace filter,” said Tracy Burgess, Service Manager at Carleton Refrigeration. “No matter what the style of filter you’re using, they can get clogged with dust, airborne particles, pet fur and other contaminants. These can reduce the airflow going through the system and put unnecessary strain on your AC.”

Burgess says a good tip is to mark a date on your calendar each month to remind yourself to clean and/or replace your furnace filter. High priced filters are not necessarily needed if you’re diligent in checking your system each month.

Another important bit of preventative maintenance is simply keeping the unit’s parts clean.

For example, your outdoor unit can easily get clogged up with grass trimming blown into the external façade of your equipment every time you mow your lawn. Other things like dog or cat hair as well as leaves and pollen can build up in and around your AC.

It’s a simple task to regularly clean the unit and even hose it down. Inside, your air conditioning will have an evaporator coil. This can collect dirt, regular dust or particles from any sanding you might be doing inside and even cobwebs if you haven’t cleaned it in a long period of time.

“This build up of dirt can insulate the coil and prevent it from absorbing heat in an efficient manner,” said Burgess. “It should be part of your regular proactive maintenance to keep it clean to help ensure your air conditioning works at maximum efficiency whenever it is needed.”

Finally, it’s important to check the drains where the air conditioning channels the water taken from humid air. Using a plumbing snake or even a stiff wire can help dislodge any dirt that may be trapped in the channel. Leaving it clogged can increase the chance of this condensate water leaking in your home during the summer, which could cause damage to flooring or anything in close proximity to your furnace.

“These are simple, low-cost actions you can take that could save you a lot of money in terms of an unnecessary service call or repairs to your AC unit later on,” said Burgess.

For more information or to book your service call, visit Carleton Refrigeration Heating and Air Conditioning in person, online or call them at 613-257-8282 or 1-866-557-8282.

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