You love basking in the Central Arkansas summer outside, but when you go inside, you’re ready to beat the heat. So what do you when your thermostat is set to cool, but your home’s temperature rivals that of the sun? You could sleep next to an open refrigerator door, or you could follow these at-home remedies.
Check Your Filter
Dirt and neglect are the #1 cause of heating and cooling system failure, so when homes are taking longer than they should to cool, the filters are always our first check. If you’ve fallen behind on your bi-monthly filter replacement, remove the filth-fighter, and hold it up to the light. If no light shines through, throw it away (if it’s disposable, that is)!
Dirty disposable filters can simply be swapped for a cleaner version, but if it’s washable, it’s time to take care of business. Different filter types can vary, so be sure to check your AC manual. Typically though, we’d recommend filling a bath tub with a few inches of warm water and some dishwashing soap. After a quick soak, rinse and air dry, your filter should be good as new!
Survey the Ventilation
Poor furniture placements affects more than just your fengshui. In fact, from furniture to Fisher Price toys, anything blocking your AC vent will cause it to work harder than necessary to cool your home. As a bonus tip, if you’re a parent, check inside the air passages as well. These make for sneaky hiding places for kiddos to protect their playthings. Trust us!
Wash Away Your Troubles
If your indoor vents weren’t the problems, it’s time to take things outdoors. Make sure your circuit breaker for your outdoor unit is turned off, then let your water hose do the rest. This should wash away any dirt, debris or creepy crawlies that may be blocking your airflow.
Find the Frost
With summers as steamy as the ones we get here in Arkansas, air conditioners sometimes are forced to run nonstop to keep up the cooling process. Just like in nature though, if something is cold for a long time, it freezes over. In your HVAC’s case, this usually means your evaporator coil.
If you feel coldness when touching your outdoor unit, it’s likely frozen inside. If you see icicles hanging off of it, you can nearly bet it is! To fix the frost, turn your unit from “cooling” to “fan.” While your unit defrosts (this may take a few hours), go ahead and check your HVAC’s filters and coils for dust. It’s more than just an eyesore– it can lead to faster freezing too!
Call the Pros
If your home is still steamy, don’t panic, and don’t try to handle the heat on your own! Your comfort is our team’s first priority, and we offer our emergency support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
