An air conditioner going out is never a planned event, especially when it happens in late June to Birmingham residents. Even though you can’t predict when your cooling system is going to break down, you can take preventative steps to keep it healthy and operating at its most efficient. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers emergency HVAC repairs for those surprise moments, but we also offer maintenance plans and air conditioner tune-ups to ensure your HVAC equipment lasts all summer long.
How to Prevent Emergency Air Conditioner Fixes
The stress of waking up or coming home to a hot house in the middle of the summer can be crippling. There is a multitude of reasons why your air conditioner might break down and diagnosing the reason requires professional help. Residents in and around Birmingham, AL, can rest easy knowing Douglas Cooling & Heating is standing by and ready to help 24/7!
Invest in a Preventative Maintenance Plan:
Regular HVAC maintenance on your air conditioner diagnoses potential problems before they snowball into emergency repairs. However, many homeowners forget until the last minute to schedule service. During the hotter months, cooling systems operate harder to keep your home cool when the temperature and humidity reach unbearable levels.
Continuous operation puts unnecessary stress on the components inside your air conditioner. Too much stress causes wear and tear, which reduces the lifespan of your unit and compromises its efficiency. A healthy system will operate more efficiently and deliver even temperatures throughout your home.
Let Your Air Conditioner Breathe:
Both the indoor and outdoor unit of your air conditioner requires adequate airflow at all times during operation. When airflow is restricted, your HVAC system can’t effectively deliver cool air throughout your home. Airflow can be obstructed due to the air filter being dirty, excessive buildup of debris, dirt and allergens inside the ductwork, or the outdoor unit has debris accumulating on it.
- Filter Replacement:
First, check your air filter often and replace it every two to three months. When it’s dirty or clogged, it stops filtering pollutants from the air, and the debris starts to build up on the components inside your air conditioner. Layers of dirt, grime, and dust prevent parts from cooling off and increases the risk of overheating.
- Duct Cleaning:
The ductwork is the second area, which can hinder airflow. Schedule duct cleaning with Douglas Cooling & Heating. Our NATE-certified technicians will thoroughly clean your air ducts, registers, grilles and vents. Obstructions inside the ductwork cause your air conditioner to deliver temperatures unevenly throughout your home. This results in hot spots and triggers your air conditioner to cycle on more often, without getting a break to cool off.
- Exterior Unit:
Your air conditioner’s outdoor unit houses the air compressor, evaporator coils and other components, which work together to extract heat and moisture from the outside air before sending on to the indoor component. Leaves, grass, twigs and other debris get blown around your yard, landing near or on top of the exterior unit. Even rodents can seek shelter in your outdoor equipment, leaving behind chewed wiring and scratch marks. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating immediately if you suspect issues with your outdoor unit. The air compressor is essential for cooling your home, and it’s expensive to replace when it breaks down.
Don’t get blind-sided by your air conditioner suddenly breaking down! Prevent emergency HVAC repairs by investing in a preventative maintenance plan and taking steps towards improving the airflow. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating for air conditioner maintenance and emergency HVAC repairs.
