One of the things that make New Mexico such a great place to live year-round in our climate. With winter behind us and summer lurking around the corner, you can expect temperatures will be climbing soon. Now is a great time to make sure your house is ready to go for another Duke City summer. Here are some tips from B&D for making sure the next few months will be comfortable for you and your family.

Tips for your air conditioner:

  • You should occasionally turn it on – even in the winter – to preserve its airflow and make sure it’s up to the task of cooling your house. Once summer hits, it’s important to clean and replace the filter on a regular basis. Typically, you should clean the filter every month, because the filter is the barrier between your A/C’s mechanism and debris resulting in a fine layer of dirt accumulating over time. For optimum performance, replace the filter every three months. Your outside unit is the most susceptible to environmental elements and should be inspected and cleaned on a weekly basis. There are several things to look for, such as obstructions around the grill and leaves stuck in the coils. Once you’ve brushed down all the debris and dirt, hose down the coils and clean the fins with a small brush.
  • Blocked condensation lines are common in central A/C units because moisture deposits onto the evaporator coil and are then transported through the condensation pipe into the drainage area. When water backs up in the pipe, it retreats back into the A/C, which can cause untold, expensive damages to your entire system. This is an easy problem to avoid by taking one simple maintenance step – making a solution of warm water and bleach and running it down the pipe to remove any possible obstructions.
  • Installing a smart thermostat will help you save significantly on energy costs. The automatic setting allows your A/C to work according to the temperature inside the house and can be programmed to turn down when you’re at work and back up again when you’re home.
  • Many A/C malfunctions can be attributed to where the condenser unit is installed. If it’s placed in the open and near trees, the coils and fins can get clogged with leaves and debris. Whether this happens to you, consider re-installing the condenser unit in a shaded area. If you do, you should immediately feel a change in the airflow.

Tips for your evaporative (swamp) cooler:

  • Remove all three side sections.
  • Inspect the pads to see how brittle they are and replace them if necessary.
  • The belt that turns the motor should be smooth and free of cracks. Replace it if necessary.
  • Inspect the body of the swamp cooler for rust. If it hasn’t been drained from the previous season, drain it. If there are rust spots, rub them down with steel wool and spray them with a clear coat to protect it from further damage.
  • Clear out all debris from the bottom of the cooler.
  • Add oil to lubricate the motor.
  • Reassemble and fill with water.

 

If you need an evaporative cooler or air conditioning repair or maintenance work done by a competent HVAC technician, contact B&D today and let us show you why Whatever it Takes is more than just our motto – it’s our promise to you.