It is more than irritating and annoying even to think about a sudden breakdown of an air conditioner in peak summer months. We often panic about getting a good technician to come and look about it. But technician in peak seasons are piled with service calls. It takes days for them to reach our doorstep. How best to deal with this unexpected situation? The answer is to brace up the machine so that it rides the waves smoothly. Here are some tips to do so-

Get your machine inspected before summer sets in

It is a very wise idea as you will be using the air conditioner after a gap of some months. It may have developed many problems while in hibernation. The machine will be infested with debris when not in use. A professional will tune up the machine, clean it, and check it for proper efficiency and output. They will make necessary repairs so that it does not exhibit any problems in summer. A professional tune-up typically costs between $70 and $100.

Check your filters

When you start using the machine always make sure to change the filter at regular intervals. Check its status every month. This is especially important during the summer when dust and allergens circulate. If the filter becomes clogged, your system will have to work harder to supply the same amount of cool air. This will lead to huge power bills. Moreover you will not get the comfort you desire as the flow of air will get less. It can also lead to icing up of the evaporator coil and affect the compressor.

Clean up the condenser unit

You can open up the condenser cabinet and clean it off all the debris that have accumulated inside. You should trim all shrubs and trees that are at a radius of 18 inches from it. These restrict the flow of air around the unit which does not allow it to function at the best of its capacity. Also make sure that your condenser is in shaded place where it does not get exposed to much sunlight. Air conditioner in cool and shady places will not get much heated therefore will have an easier time cooling the air.

Keep the thermostat in appropriate place

Keep your thermostat in a place so that it does not get guarded by any furniture or drape. It should be able to sample the room air. Also do not keep it close to an electrical device. It senses the heat that emanates from the appliances and makes the air conditioner work longer to produce cooling. Do not place it close to a place which gets lot of sunshine. Try to get your thermostat below 78 degrees. Remember that each degree you dial below 78 increases your energy consumption by about 8 percent. You can go for programmable thermostat. It will run at moderate temperatures when none is at home and crank down at the hours when the house is occupied. Today there are thermostats that detect the presence of human being in the house and adjust the temperatures accordingly.

Buy an efficient model

If you air conditioner has been serving you for 15 years, consider replacing it. Older unit will consume more electricity to produce cooling. It will also breakdown often. Consider replacing your unit with an energy-efficient model. They’re usually more expensive but thanks to federal tax credits and competitive prices. Buy an air conditioner of right size. An oversized unit will cycle on and off frequently. It will make the system less efficient and lead to rapid wear and tear. An undersized unit will fall short of expected output.

Do not let cool air leak out of the house. Use weather-stripping in your windows. Use caulk, spray in the holes of the exterior walls through which pipes and wires come in. Check the ducts for dirt and leakage. Insulate attics and basements. Install home window film or tint to the insides of your windows. It will keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Besides this do not use too much rock, cement, or asphalt while landscaping in the south or west sides of your home. If these sides are not shaded they will radiate heat and make the house hotter. Use celling fans that run counter clockwise in the summer. That will push the cool air down. Running a ceiling fan would cost about $1.50 a month, compared to $25 for an air conditioner. It can reduce the room temperature by 4 degrees.