Is Your Home Ready For The Cooling Season? Here Are Some Things To Check

With warm weather fast approaching in the Chicagoland area, this is the time to ensure your air conditioner is prepared for the hot summer months ahead. Proper cooling system maintenance, along with a few simple steps to keep your home cool, will ensure that your air conditioning operates at peak efficiency keeping your utility bill in check and limiting the chance of unexpected breakdowns and repairs.

1. Call ABC to schedule an annual AC inspection and tune-up. Your technician will perform a comprehensive inspection to find any potential problems that could lead to a breakdown. A dirty, unmaintained can cost you hundreds of extra dollars in extra energy costs each season, while also shortening the lifespan of the unit, so a tune-up is cheap insurance.

2. Change your furnace filter at least once a month. Clean filters enable your HVAC system to operate more efficiently, causing less wear on the motors and parts. It will also keep the air in your home cleaner and healthier.

3. Inspect your air ducts to ensure there are no leaks. Gaps in air ducts should be sealed with duct tape.

4. Replace or install weather stripping around doors, windows and baseboards. Cracked or worn weather stripping allows cool air to escape.

5. Make sure that your home is well insulated. Fiberglass insulation is the easiest to install and the most effective. Insulation with an R factor between 30 and 49 is effective and can save up to 10 percent in energy costs.

6. Manage the temperature with a programmable theremostat. Keep the temperature cool at night and warmer during the day when you’re away from home. Programmable thermostats are an affordable way to control indoor temperatures for optimal comfort and efficiency.

7. Block out direct sun with drapes and window shades.

8. Use ceiling fans to help circulate cool air throughout the house.

9. Plan hot work for cooler morning and evening hours. Basic household functions such as washing, drying and ironing clothes, baking and cooking all make it harder for the cooling system to do its job.