With summer still holding on in southwest Virginia right now, the last thing you want is to lose service to your air conditioning. Right now is the time homeowners use their air conditioners the most, so it is important to make sure it will survive the rest of the season.

Follow these operational tips to keep you and your family comfortable all year long:

• Change air filters. This is a simple step that can have a huge impact on your HVAC system’s overall efficiency. By regularly replacing your filters, once every one or two months, you will prevent dust from accumulating. When there is too much debris, it forms a thick screen that air cannot easily pass through. Your HVAC system has to use more energy to push the air through, lowering its efficiency.
• Clean your indoor coil. This component helps cool your air so it is important to have it working as effectively as possible.  When dirty, it can work up to 20 percent less efficiently.  Special chemicals are required to clean it so you contact an HVAC contractor for professional help. It only needs to be done every few years but can have a huge impact on how your air conditioning performs.
• Close vents in empty rooms. This redirects air from empty areas so that you aren’t paying to cool unoccupied rooms. This helps lower your energy costs as well as the workload for your HVAC system.
• Unclog your condensate drain. Stick a wire through the drains to break up and free any blockage. This will help your cooling equipment better dehumidify the air so it does not feel clammy.
• Schedule preventive maintenance. Much like a truck or car require oil changes and tune-ups, your air conditioner needs professional attention to make sure it is performing optimally. An HVAC specialist will inspect and clean all the components to make sure it is running at peak performance. This helps you avoid lapses in service.

For more operational tips and assistance implementing them, contact New River Heating & Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioning and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

New River Heating and Air services the New River Valley area in Virginia. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!