While Oklahoma sizzles!

If you haven’t noticed, there’s a scorcher of a heatwave hanging out over our great state. We’ve been broiling for weeks! It’s not anything too unusual for Oklahoma summers, but that record heat this July and August really take it out of you. 

And those triple-digit days are murder on your air conditioning system. Or they can be if you try to get by without doing proper AC maintenance. No one wants their air conditioning to go out during a hot Oklahoma summer. So, give your AC unit a little help. Reduce the stress on your unit and stay on top of preventive and routine maintenance! 

Here are some tips on how to keep your AC going in the Oklahoma heat. If you have questions about the manufacturer’s warranty, contact the dealer (A-1) at 405-360-5545 or www.comfortmaker.com/en/us/product 

• Change your air filters every month. Dirty filters prevent your AC from running efficiently and restrict air circulation. That places an extra burden on your air conditioner. Replacing dirty filters can also help reduce your energy consumption. Most Oklahoma homeowners change filters once a month during hot summer months or during periods of heavy use and high traffic. Have pets and kids? Stick to the once-a-month schedule. 
• Check your thermostat. By raising the temperature during the day when no one is home and lowering it in the evening when the entire family is in the house, your air conditioner has a chance to rest. Not only does the AC not have to work as hard during the heat of the day, but you’ll save on energy costs. When you’re home, keep the system at a consistent 78 degrees, the optimal temp determined by the US Department of Energy for conservation and cost savings. 
• Turn on your fans. Ceiling fans set to rotate counterclockwise help direct airflow downward, creating a cool breeze by pushing air down and preventing hot air from rising. Cooled air from fans can help your home feel several degrees cooler while lessening the stress on the AC and saving on your energy bill. Another way to help lower the temp inside is to close shades, blinds and curtains during the heat of the day. 
• Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible. Your AC unit is working to match the air temp in your home to the temperature you set on the thermostat. If you constantly open windows and doors, the interior temperature constantly fluctuates, making your system work harder to maintain the desired temp. After all, you’re not trying to cool the great outdoors! 
• Make sure the outdoor unit has sufficient clearing. Plants, tall grass, weeds and debris around your outdoor unit can block airflow around the compressor and reduce the efficiency of your AC. Clearing the area and even shading it can lessen the workload on your unit. 
• Schedule an annual maintenance inspection in spring to prepare for the summer. Most AC failures are caused by poor maintenance or no maintenance at all, which can lead to system damage, wear and tear, and costly repairs. An inspection and tune-up (cleaning) by a professional, reputable heating and air company can help diagnose potential issues before they become problems. 

Ideal Homes & Neighborhoods homeowners have the luxury of a guaranteed heating and cooling usage on most Ideal homes in their new home and the manufacturer warrants against defects in the new unit. But poor maintenance may cause problems not covered by a warranty. So do the maintenance! Download the Homeowner Guide for more information about maintenance of your home’s heat and air system. 

• Here are a few things you can take care of without professional help. You’ll be surprised what a difference they can make in keeping your AC unit up and running and your house cool as a cucumber. Turn the thermostat up a couple of a degrees and try to adjust 76 ̶ 78 degrees inside.
• Close off unused rooms and vents in those rooms; don’t cool what you don’t use. 
• Shade windows on the sunny side of the house. 
• Cook outdoors; enjoy the summer BBQ. 
• Don’t use the dry cycle on the dishwasher; leave the door open and let them air dry. 
• Don’t run the clothes dryer during the heat of the day. 
• Hose down the compressor fins outside at least once a month and use a soft bristle brush to clean in between. Be gentle with this process; those fins are easy to bend. 
• You might also consider hosing down your roof and bricks on those super-hot days; you’ll feel an immediate temperature difference. Only a few more weeks of living in a frying pan! 

Cooler temps will soon make their way to our great state. Since fall in Oklahoma is absolutely Ideal; you’ll forget you were ever in the oven. And, if you don't already live in an Ideal home, take advantage of the maximum energy efficiency of an Ideal home.

Source: Suntech Heat and Air