We’ve already sweated through some hot spring afternoons, but here in Georgia we know the sultry scorchers are still on the way.

When those sweltering days arrive in Atlanta and North Georgia, will your air conditioner be ready to keep you and your family cool? And will your AC keep you comfortable without barbecuing your bank account with searing hot energy bills?

Don’t let the dog days of summer catch you (and your pets) unprepared. Now’s the time to make sure your air conditioner is in tip-top condition. Here’s what you can do… 

A Measure of Maintenance Goes a Long Way

Some basic annual maintenance will go a long way toward helping your air conditioner cool effectively throughout its expected lifespan. And most of it is easy to do yourself.

Vacuum Vents. Run a vacuum over all your home’s vents, registers, and grilles to remove any accumulated dust and debris. While you’re at it, make sure that each vent has about a foot of unobstructed space around it. Relocate any furniture, artwork, and other life debris — we’re looking at you, winter boots dropped by the front door three months ago — to allow for easy air flow.

Clean the Condenser. As we suggested in last month’s post, clean up any branches and leaves on or around your outdoor condenser unit, then use a hose to spray dust and grime off the fan and condenser coils. You can also use a shop vac and soft-bristled brush to vacuum the condenser fins. (They’re delicate, so proceed with care.)

Douse the Drain. Your indoor evaporator unit has a drain pan under it to capture dripping condensation. A drain line then moves the water outside. Once a year, pour a cup of a 50/50 mix of bleach and water down that drain line, wait a few minutes, then flush it with lots of clean water. This will stop the growth of algae and help prevent clogs. If the water you pour in doesn’t drain, give your HVAC service provider a call right away. Pooling water in your drain pan can cause water damage and will keep your air conditioner from cooling as effectively.

More Maintenance for Fewer Problems. Professional preventative maintenance goes beyond the measures you can manage yourself, and it may lengthen the life of your equipment. Give us a call if you’d like to schedule an annual preventative maintenance appointment.

Lower Energy Bills are Cool Too

Some simple energy efficiency measures can help keep your energy bills cool without sacrificing your family’s comfort.

Be a Fan of Fans. Moving air moves heat off your skin, so make the most of fans. Ceiling fans, floor fans, desk fans, heck even hand fans will all keep you cooler, even with the thermostat set a few degrees higher. Just remember that fans don’t do you any good in an empty room, so turn them off when you leave.

Delete the Heat. With all the heat Mother Nature is making outside, don’t add to the problem by running stoves, ovens, dishwashers, and dryers during the hottest parts of the day. That’s just inviting in more heat that your air conditioner will then have to remove. Many modern dishwashers and dryers can be programmed to run at a set time, late at night or when you’re away from home. And outdoor grilling is a smart summertime substitute to running your oven and stove.

Savings Made with Your Shades. Some of your simplest cost-cutting cool tools are old school curtains and shades. Close them during the day, especially for windows that get direct sunlight, and you’ll send a lot of excess heat back outside to play.

More Ways to Beat the Heat

These are only a cool half dozen of the many ways you can keep your family comfortable this summer while saving on your energy bills. Want more? Give us a call anytime at 770-995-7585 or schedule a service appointment. We’ll be happy to help!