Keeping cool might be easier than you expect.
Constantine Syniy, owner of All Pro Heating and Air Conditioning, said his company receives many calls for assistance during the hot summer month when often a DIY solution may be available.
Getting an air conditioning expert out to look at an issue can often cost between $80 and $120, but for people noticing their units falling behind as temperatures rise, Syniy suggested first checking and changing the indoor filter.
"(Sometimes) you just need a $5 filter," he said.
Syniy said when buying a filter, he recommends a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating of eight or below, opting against thick filters unless your allergies require them.
If that doesn't work, Syniy said another common issue is having a clogged outdoor unit, which is especially common for those near dusty areas, like dirt roads. In such cases, he recommends killing the power to the unit and rinsing it off.
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"There's some units on the market where you need to disassemble it, so you need a professional, but most of the units you can wash by yourself," he said.
When it's hot out, Syniy recommended leaving the temperature at the same number when leaving the house, even for those with a programmable thermostat. Turning up the thermostat saves "very little" money and causes the system to struggle to get the temperature back down when lowered, Syniy said. He also warned against closing several vents around the house, which can cause the unit to freeze.
Syniy also recommended using a dehumidifier in houses above 60% humidity. He said to set the machine around 50% — any less than that will produce heat.
Syniy said about 20% of the house calls he gets could be prevented by taking these measures.
"If you do these tricks, you don't save a lot of money on (your) electrical bill, but you save yourself a lot of headache," he said.
