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Spring Is HERE: Change the Air Filter and Get the AC Ready

Allergy season is here and you might notice that the people in your household are sneezing and coughing a little more, particularly with the recent pollen drop. Changing the air filter may help to alleviate allergy symptoms, which is part of why we recommend doing so each month or so. But did you know that this serves a different purpose when it comes to the state of your air conditioning system?

Changing the filter also helps air flow through your air conditioner with ease and prevent sudden system failure.

Changing the Filter Helps Your Air Conditioner

Neglecting to change the air filter can do quite a bit of harm to the system. Your air filter collects a lot of dust and debris from the air throughout your home over the course of a just a month or two. When the air filter is clogged up it may continue blocking some debris, but it also stops air from flowing through the system. The lack of airflow affects your air conditioner in a few big ways:

You feel less comfortable or the air quality in your home diminishes.
Not as energy efficient
The air conditioner struggles to run, increasing wear and tear and leading to potential system breakdowns!

Changing your air filter every month can help prevent the above issues. Just set a reminder on your phone if that makes it easier.

Have your AC cleaned and checked by us

One other major step of maintaining a home’s air conditioner is cleaning the coils that reside in the outside unit of your system. These coils are responsible for the release of heat as it dissipates from refrigerant condensing in the coils.

Refrigeration is a process of heat exchange, and that’s how your split-system AC cools your home. When the coils outside are dirty, heat cannot be released into the air, which causes some of the same problems as a clogged filter (and may also lead to water leaks in the home!). Ask us about our annual Sirius Comfort Care program to learn more about preventative maintenance.

Sign up for our Sirius Comfort Care Program

You may be able to clean the outside coils on your own, but we don’t always recommend this. The best way to get your air conditioner ready for the warm season is to schedule professional maintenance services, or an AC tune-up. During this service, technicians will…

Clean or replace the filters
Clean and inspect coils
Complete a visual inspection
Test system
Tighten electrical connections

…and much more! All of this can help to prepare your air conditioner for warm season and help reduce the possibility of system failure, restore energy efficiency and lower bills, and stay more comfortable all spring and summer long.

For an AC tune-up in the Dallas, Texas and Ft. Worth, Texas metroplex, contact Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning today.

Summer is coming, and Texas residents know what that means. With the blazing hot temperatures and high humidity, you will want to make sure your cooling systems run as efficiently as possible. There are a number of ways you can save energy this summer, not only with your AC, but certain aspects of your home’s plumbing as well.

Clean the air filter: A clogged air filter will force your AC to work harder than it needs to, resulting in higher energy consumption to achieve the desired cold air output. Changing the air filter is quick, easy, and inexpensive, so there’s no reason not to do it. Generally, you should change it monthly.
Get a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat may cost a pretty penny, but it will help you save money in the long run. These high-tech devices can be programmed to lower usage when you are out of the house or asleep, and can therefore save you hundreds on energy bills. Some can even be adjusted remotely with your smartphone.
Turn off the AC when you’re away: Summer is the season for vacations. While you’re away, you don’t need the AC running at all, so turning off the system will help you keep energy bills to a minimum for the week while you’re out. And for extra savings, turn off your water heater as well.
Lower water heater temperature: You can actually get by really well on a lower temperature setting on your water heater. Turning it down to 120° can save as much as $60 on hot water over the course of a year.
Insulate: Insulating your water heater prevents heat from being lost from the water in the tank, which will be especially helpful once colder temperatures hit next winter. As for your AC, insulating the coolant lines between the outdoor condenser unit and your home will help it run more efficiently.
Clean the area around the AC unit: Dirt, shrubbery, and even animal nests can get in the way of efficient AC operation. Generally, you want to make sure you have about a foot of cleared space around the outdoor AC unit.

Keeping your HVAC and plumbing running smoothly is key to saving energy year round. In addition, there are a few other things you can do to cut down on energy costs:

Keep the fridge closed at all times.
Turn off the lights when you don’t need them.
Unplug appliances when they’re not in use.
Upgrade to more energy efficient light bulbs.

Also, getting your AC checked up regularly is key to energy efficiency. Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning can help you in that area.

Spring Has Sprung

Energy Savings Tips