It's already getting too hot outside to have a broken ac unit.
But just because your air stops blowing doesn't mean you need to spend cash… you just need to know what to look for.
Mike Donley, with Donley Service Center, took us around a viewer’s home to show us the simple things to look for before you spend cash on a repair call.
First he says check your thermostat for batteries. It can be as simple as that. He says a good rule of thumb is to replace the batteries every spring.
Speaking of the thermostat, Mike says set it and forget it. You won’t conserve energy by constantly changing it so Mike says set it at the highest comfortable level and leave it.
And try to keep lamps, TVs and other appliances away from the thermostat. The thermostat can pick up the heat from those appliances and that will cause your AC unit to run more than it needs.
Next, check your filters. They should be changed at least once per month and even though many of us already know this, we sometimes forget. Forgetting is costing you money because Mike says a slightly dirty filter can affect your utility bill five to 10 percent.. He adds that you’ll need to change it more in the summer because of the dry, dusty climate.
Also check your breaker. If it has been tripped, you should call a repair company.
And even though the national standard for A/C units is to last 15 to 20 years, Mike says that’s not the case in Arizona. He says we generally experience a shorter life span – closer to 12 – 15 years. Proper maintenance will help make the unit last longer though.
So the next time your A/C seems to be down, go through these simple checks to make sure you aren't wasting your cash. It could save you from having to spend money on a service call.
