Air Conditioning Tips to Combat the Summer Heat

The Spring Season is about to start in a day or two, which meant Winter’s cold embrace is coming to an end. While spring is a season associated with its nice breeze and calm weather, it might be the only season for us to enjoy what nicer temperatures we have left. As it stands, the constant rise in temperature every year caused by climate change is making the summer heat come earlier than expected. Some countries are already experiencing this heat, with the recent temperatures going as high as 39°C or 102°F.

In light of this fact, preparations for summer becomes a part of mandatory things to do during the spring season. There is only one efficient way to combat the heat, and that is using an air conditioning unit.

Why should you buy an Air Conditioning Unit?

If you don’t own an air conditioning unit yet and have been relying on cooling electric fans, you might want to start changing that. If you have an elderly in your location or have someone prone to illnesses, simply leaving them in the heat with the aid of a cooling fan won’t do. The higher temperatures have been proven to cause many health problems, including heatstroke, worsening respiratory-related conditions, and many more.

The heat can also affect personal devices, like laptops, PCs, and mobile phones. The damage is not instant, however, and it is something that is accumulated over time. For large businesses, this is a hazard that cannot be afforded. The heat can slow down CPU processes and, in the most extreme conditions, cause data loss. There are temporary solutions to this, such as placing them in a well-ventilated environment under room temperature before booting, but that can be a hassle. Having a permanent solution to the heat, instead of a temporary one, can greatly benefit the family as a whole.

The best part about air conditioning units is they last for an incredibly long time. As long as air conditioning units are well maintained during use, it preserves its life expectancy and will be running at its peak efficiency all the time. The newer versions of air conditioning units are also very energy efficient, and efforts have been to make them “greener” compared to their predecessors.

Finally, the spring season is the best time to buy an air conditioning unit. Stores will often be found selling them at certain discounts around this time, and you will be able to have a wide range of selections compared to what will be left during the summer.

How to install an Air Conditioning Unit

While buying an AC unit can be rather simple, the installation that comes afterward can be the problematic part. In the end, it highly depends on what you will need.

If you are running a large-scale business or own an office, then investing in a ventilation service might be the better option. Especially in the case of COVID-19, you would want to stop the spread of the virus from going around the building using the Air Conditioning units as a medium. It can be rather difficult to find and hire staff that will maintain your AC units. Fortunately, some services are willing to offer their expertise in this matter, like Sovereign Planned Services. The best part about these services is that it isn’t necessarily limited to an office or business scale. You can avail their expertise even for your own home if none of your family members know how to install a ventilation system alongside the air conditioning unit.

The other way to install an air conditioning unit is to do it manually. Whatever model you would buy, AC units come with a manual on how to install them within your household or office space. Some models do not necessarily require a ventilation system, but they are often small and can only cover one or two rooms. Installing them often goes like this:

• ·  Carry the AC unit to its preferred location (depends if it is a Window AC, Portable AC, Ductless Unit, Heat pump, Central AC System).
• ·  Affix the AC to either the wall, window, or whichever it will be placed upon. Make sure that the AC is nearby an outlet so you can plug in the AC.
• ·  Seal any gaps so cool air won’t escape.

And those are the steps to install an air conditioning unit in the most simplified manner.

How to maintain an Air Conditioning Unit during the Summer Heat

Installing the AC Unit is not the last step to owning and using it. Oftentimes, AC units can break down if they are not properly cared for especially during the summer heat. Depending on your AC unit, there are more than a few ways to maintain it.

Clean or Change the Air Filter at least Once per Month

The AC unit’s air filter is responsible for keeping all the dust, dirt, and other small particles from spewing out its vents. If too many of these particles start building up on your air filter, it will cause performance issues. If changing the AC’s air filter won’t be possible, then you should clean it.

Cleaning an Air Filter can be surprisingly simple. You can either use a vacuum to suck out the dust that has built up, or you can use a hose or shower head to wash down your filter for deeper cleaning. Don’t use too much pressure on both methods though, or they will destroy the filter!

Check the evaporator fins for any damages

Insufficient airflow is a common issue with AC units. This is often caused by the bending of the “fins” or “evaporator fins” inside the AC unit. A periodic check can help you prevent insufficient airflow, and let you know when you will need a professional to perform maintenance on your AC unit. Alternatively, you can fix it on your own using a “fin comb”.

Perform periodic cleaning of the Air Conditioning Unit

While the first way to maintain an AC unit can be categorized under this, cleaning the AC unit as a whole is a different process. You can go on for months without cleaning your AC Unit, and still expect it to perform. Keeping it dirty, however, can lead to other performance issues. If there is any leftover dust inside the AC unit, those accumulated particles can hamper the AC unit, causing it to work twice as hard to cool the air. Keeping the coils clean, unclogging the condensate drain, and cleaning the area around the unit should be done periodically to avoid any AC-related issues.

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