With warm weather here and hotter weather close behind, it is time to think about home air conditioning repairs that may be coming up soon.

The best way to avoid expensive air conditioning repair in Newport News is to do a few simple maintenance tasks yourself. Here are 6 simple things you can do to get more life out of your air conditioning unit and maybe save some on your utility bill.

1. Make sure the filters are replaced or cleaned regularly

This is important in the spring and summer months when pollen counts are high, especially if a family member has allergies or you have pets. The disposable kind of filter should be replaced every 1-3 months, whereas the reusable filters can last 3-12 months (see manufacturer’s instructions). Replacing or cleaning filters regularly not only keeps the dust and allergens out of the air more efficiently, but also helps the air flow of your unit remain unrestricted, putting less strain on the system.

2. Keep the outside unit clear of debris

Raking leaves away from the unit and trimming bushes back leaving two feet around the air conditioning unit will help it run more efficiently.

Especially in late spring when the cottonwood trees are producing their “cotton” or anytime dandelions are active or if your lawnmower sprays grass clippings and dust, the coil fins in your outside unit can get clogged. This will put a lot more strain on your air conditioning unit as it tries to draw in air.

You can use a brush or vacuum cleaner to clean out the debris and avoid air conditioning repair in Newport News. Remember if you take off the outside cover of your A/C unit, switch off the power first.

3. Clean your drain line with bleach

The indoor unit has a drain pipe where the excess condensed water drains. If this should get clogged with algae or mold, the water could backup into your air conditioning unit or even into your house causing water damage. One simple way to avoid this is to pour about a cup of bleach down the drain line once a year. The bleach will kill any algae, mildew or mold and avoid clogs. If you already have a clog, try pushing a stiff wire down the drain to dislodge it. Contact us for more stubborn clogs.

4. Use Smart thermostats

Programmable thermostats are a good way to keep your house cool when home and not waste energy when you are not home. When you are at work or on vacation, you can program your system a few degrees warmer which will put less strain on your air conditioning unit and then set it for your desired temperature shortly before you are due home.

5. Let some fresh air in

What you do with your windows can also affect how much your air conditioning runs. On hot days, make sure you close blinds or curtains, especially on the south facing windows. On cool spring days, leave your windows open and turn the A/C off. Not only will you give your air conditioning unit a break, but the fresh air will do you good.

6. Tighten up your windows and doors

Finally, check the caulking around your windows and doors. Leaks can cause unwanted heat to come in and make your air conditioning work harder, causing greater energy output and shortening the life of your A/C unit.

Keep in mind that in addition to your own maintenance, an annual check-up from us is always a good idea. It could prevent small problems from becoming big ones.