Blog | Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical

Prepping Your HVAC Unit for an Extended Vacation

August 5th, 2022

As summer ends and you look toward winter and the holidays, keep the health of your HVAC system in mind. Although Florida’s winters are usually mild, it’s important to prepare your system if you’re taking an extended holiday trip.

Below are our tips and tricks for preparing your system for the off-season, so it’s ready for next summer’s heat.

How To Prep Your HVAC System for an Extended Vacation

When preparing for your trip away, it’s important to include your house preparations as well. Follow these tips to ensure your HVAC system is ready when you need it.

Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up Before You Leave

An important aspect of HVAC maintenance that many homeowners overlook is a biannual tune-up.

Typically recommended right before the cooling and heating seasons, professional preventative maintenance ensures your system is working properly while preparing it to run efficiently for the change in weather. It also provides an opportunity to identify and address minor issues before they become major problems.

We recommend scheduling professional HVAC maintenance with Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical before you leave for the season or upon your return. We offer affordable and convenient maintenance plans to our customers throughout Pensacola, Panama City, and Fort Walton.

Set Your Thermostat for Your Extended Absence

If your pets or plants are staying in the home when you’re away, you’ll want to keep your thermostat settings similar to those of your normal routine. If your home will be empty while you’re gone, you can significantly adjust the temperature to save money and energy.

However, it’s not advisable to turn the system off completely or set it outside the range of 50–85 degrees Fahrenheit. We recommend installing a smart thermostat for complete control while you’re gone.

Change or Clean Your Air Filter

As always, it’s important to keep your system’s air filters clean for optimal HVAC performance. Before you leave for an extended period, clean your replaceable air filters or replace disposable ones.

Check Your Air Vents & Registers

Before you leave, you’ll also want to ensure your system’s vents and registers are all open and unobstructed. This ensures your airflow will be even throughout your home, so your system isn’t working harder to address temperature imbalances.

Trust Peaden for Expert HVAC Services

For professional, friendly, and quality work, trust Peaden’s well-trained and experienced technicians. We offer same-day service, upfront pricing, flexible financing, and 24/7 emergency service for your most urgent needs.

We’re your one-stop shop for home services and provide free estimates on all replacement quotes.

For all your HVAC needs in Pensacola, Panama City, and Fort Walton, call Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical at (855) 557-7878.

How Does Salty Air Affect HVAC Systems?

August 5th, 2022

Florida’s warm climate and ocean breeze make it an ideal place for vacationers and residents. However, the abundance of salt in the air can wreak havoc on an HVAC system.

Salt and sand particles in the air can clog or corrode your system, leading to inadequate cooling, higher energy costs, and costly breakdowns.

Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical is here to ensure your HVAC unit stays in tiptop shape.

We’ll keep your cooling system working well in Pensacola, Panama City, and Fort Walton Beach and slow the negative effects of salty air on your HVAC system.

How Long Do HVAC Systems Last at the Beach?

While you can expect most HVAC systems to last over 15 years, systems in areas exposed to ocean air typically need to be replaced after a decade due to salt exposure, which causes AC corrosion and rust on the air conditioner.

How Can I Protect My HVAC Unit from Salty Air?

There are ways you can protect and maintain your HVAC system to prolong its life span in Florida, including in Pensacola, Panama City, and Fort Walton Beach.

Schedule Routine Maintenance

In these areas, nothing is as important as routine maintenance from professionals like those at Peaden. This allows you to remove debris, including salt, from your system and defend it against untimely deterioration.

Keep Your Condenser Clean

We also recommend that you rinse your outdoor condenser unit once a month to help prevent salt and sand buildup. Run hose water through the unit’s top and side grills to adequately flush out debris.

Consider Covering Your Unit With a Breathable Barrier

While air conditioners are designed to be out in the elements, a breathable AC cover like one made of canvas may be helpful in coastal climates. However, you should never cover your unit with a tarp, plastic, or vinyl, which make up the bulk of AC covers on the market. These materials trap the salt air and moisture, creating condensation, which can cause issues.

Trust the Experts at Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical

Our team at Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical is here to answer any questions you may have about preserving your HVAC system in Florida’s humid and salty air. You can trust our professional, friendly, and quality work and service for all your HVAC needs in Pensacola, Panama City, and Fort Walton Beach.

We provide convenient maintenance plans, upfront pricing, flexible financing, and free estimates on replacements.

For all your HVAC maintenance, repair, and replacement needs in the Florida panhandle, call Peaden at (855) 557-7878 today.

Best Types of Pipes for Florida Plumbing

July 11th, 2022

Ensuring you have the right pipes in your Florida home is essential for an efficient plumbing system. There are many different materials available for piping, and it’s important to choose the best for your situation.

This guide will discuss the many piping options and how they can benefit your plumbing system. With the right knowledge about your piping options, you can repipe your home or install pipes for your new construction, knowing that your plumbing will be in great shape.

Types of Pipes Commonly Used in Home Plumbing

A variety of pipes are used in home plumbing systems. Different materials provide different advantages depending on the local water quality and use. It’s also important to know how long your pipes should last, so you can stay on top of maintenance and repair needs.

Below, we outline the most common materials used for plumbing pipes and their benefits.

Galvanized Pipes

Galvanized pipes are made of steel and coated with a layer of zinc to help prevent corrosion and decay. These have been a popular choice for plumbing pipes for many decades. Over time, however, the zinc coating breaks down and can release the chemicals into the water line, leaving the pipes susceptible to decay.

Galvanized pipes tend to be wider, allowing more materials to flow through. They can also be one of the least expensive plumbing pipes available.

Cast Iron Pipes

Cast iron pipes are thick, sturdy, and wide for easy flow. These pipes were popular for decades but have since become less common. They tend to last 40–60 years before significant deterioration starts to set in. Cast iron pipes have been known to work well for 100 years or more when maintained properly.

Copper Pipes

Copper pipes are long-lasting, corrosion-resistant, and some of the most durable pipes available. These are known to last 50–70 years or longer when installed by an expert. Copper pipes can have some trouble with highly acidic water, but they’re a reliable choice overall.

They can handle up to 1000 psi of pressure and are an excellent option for hot and cold water lines.

Stainless Steel Pipes

Stainless steel pipes are designed to resist corrosion and last for years. The strength of these pipes surpasses copper and galvanized pipes, making them very reliable in the long run. Stainless steel piping is also energy-efficient, holding in heat more tightly than most other piping options.

These pipes are a great option for delivering hot water throughout a home.

PVC Pipes

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping is environmentally friendly, available in various thicknesses, and designed to last 100 years or more. PVC pipes are cost-effective and safe for drinking water delivery. These pipes have shown promise when used in a wide range of applications, from drinking water delivery to sewage removal and more.

PEX Pipes

Polyethylene (PEX) piping is corrosion-resistant, flexible, and easy to install. It has become a popular option for homeowners and business owners over the years. PEX piping can be a bit costly, but it’s not the most expensive piping on the market. It also requires very minimal maintenance.

The Best Pipe Material for Florida Homes

Piping systems in residential properties throughout Florida need to handle hard water. Many areas of the state deal with hard water or high amounts of calcium and magnesium in the water. This often shows up as a thin white film on washed drinking glasses or a slimy feeling after washing your hands.

Over time, calcium, magnesium, and other materials can collect within a pipe, delivering higher concentrations of these materials into the water supply. These materials can also slow water flow until the materials break down.

The best pipe material for Florida homes is any type that resists this buildup. PVC pipes come in various thicknesses and are well-known for safely delivering drinking water throughout a home. PEX pipes are corrosion-resistant, so hard water won’t easily break them down.

Depending on your home and specific needs, different piping materials may be better for different applications.

Whatever plumbing pipes you choose for your home, let Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical handle the installation. Our expert plumbers have installed pipes of every kind in homes throughout the Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City region. You can count on us for a job well done.

Contact us today to get started on your plumbing pipe installation project.

What Is a Heat Pump and How Does It Work?

June 23rd, 2022

Florida residents are no stranger to brutally hot summer temperatures, and they know the importance of having an effective air conditioning unit to combat the heat. But what about those cooler nights during our (fairly mild) winters?

To meet year-round heating and cooling demands, you should consider having a heat pump professionally installed. Below, we’ll dive into how heat pumps operate and the benefits they offer.

So, What Is a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps run by transferring heat from one place to another, similar to a refrigerator. During the hot, humid summers in Florida, heat pumps extract the heat in your home and pump it outside to leave you with cool, refreshing air. In the winter, it transfers heat from the outdoors into your home.

These units are ideal for those looking for an energy-efficient, convenient unit that can provide both heating and cooling based on their needs. The types of heat pumps you can choose from include:

Air-to-air heat pump or air-source heat pump (ASHP)
Ductless mini-split heat pump
Geothermal heat pump/water-to-air heat pump
Absorption heat pump

How Heat Pumps Use Refrigerant to Transfer Heat

Refrigerant is a fluid that has a very low boiling point that can be manipulated by increasing or decreasing the pressure to absorb heat through phase transition. When these refrigerants change from a liquid to a gas it absorbs a lot of energy or heat. All air conditioning systems have heat pumps that use refrigerant. Air conditioning systems use relationship between pressure and temperature to transfer heat.

When the refrigerant changes from a liquid state to a gas state it absorbs heat at a high quantity. Refrigerants have a low boiling point and they are used because they will boil at room temperature. The boiling point can be altered by adjusting the pressure of the refrigerant allow the system to control the evaporation of the refrigerant.

What Can Go Wrong With Your Heat Pump?

Heat pumps work hard to exceed your heating and cooling needs. Because they operate year-round and can produce both heat and air conditioning depending on what you and your home need, they’re typically met with more wear and tear and are inevitably at a higher risk of malfunctioning.

When this happens, you need a repair — and fast! Keep an eye out for signs a repair is due, including:

Your system is short-cycling.
Your unit isn’t producing adequate heating or cooling.
You notice leaks or water pooling around your system.
Your unit is emitting loud noises or bad odors.
Your monthly bills are higher than usual.

Heat Pumps Have Your Back

Whether you need heat in the winter or cool air in the summer, heat pumps can provide both seamlessly. To ensure your heat pump is working at its best, you need to hire a professional for every heat pump service, and the team at Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical has the tools to get each job done right the first time.

With over half a century of experience in the industry, our skilled technicians are eager to tackle your heat pump needs.

We’re excited to work with you! Let us make your heating and cooling dreams a reality and supply you with exceptional heat pump services.

Call [site_info_phone_number] or contact us online for booking appointments.

The Best Ways To Unclog a Drain Without Chemicals

May 25th, 2022

How To Unclog a Drain Naturally

Using chemical cleaners to clear a drain clog can often do more harm than good. These chemicals can eat away at your pipes, causing them to deteriorate over time. Instead, homeowners should seek out alternative methods for unclogging a drain that do not rely on the use of chemicals.

But what chemical-free methods are the most effective for eliminating stubborn blockages? Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical highlights some of the best ways to unclog a drain without chemicals in the blog below!

Method #1 – Try a Plunger

Bathroom sinks and shower drains are notorious for accumulating hair and soap scum. While the plunger might be the go-to tool for clearing out a clogged toilet, plungers can also be used to get rid of stubborn blockages in your drains.

Here’s how you can use a plunger to unclog your bathroom drains:

Remove the plug or drain stop cover from the drain.
Allow the faucet to run until there is approximately 1 inch of water in the sink or tub.
Cover the drain with the plunger to create a seal around the entire drain opening.
Pump the plunger rapidly for up to 30 seconds.
Remove the plunger and watch the water drain. If there is still water in the basin, repeat steps three and four again.

Method #2 – Use Baking Soda & Vinegar

Baking soda is an all-natural cleaner that’s excellent for eating away stubborn sludge. By combining this natural cleaner with some vinegar and boiling water, homeowners can concoct a chemical-free clog removal solution in no time.

Follow the steps below to use baking soda and vinegar to clear your drains:

Boil a kettle of water and pour it down the drain to loosen any debris.
Boil an additional kettle of water.
Make a solution with 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water.
Pour 1 cup of baking soda and the solution down the drain.
Plug the drain and wait 10 minutes.
Pour the second kettle of water down the drain.

The chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar should be enough to loosen a minor clog. By sending down the boiling water afterward, all the loosened materials are then flushed out of the pipe.

Method #3 – Use a Drain Snake

A drain snake is often the best DIY option unclogging a drain. Drain snakes are specifically designed to travel to hard-to-reach parts of your pipes to unclog your system. When used correctly, they can do wonders for removing difficult blockages. Here’s how to do it:

Put the end of the drain snake into the drain.
Turn the handle, pushing the tip of the snake further into the drain.
Keep cranking the handle until you begin to feel resistance.
Rotate the snake, continuing to crank until you feel it break through the blockage.
Crank the handle in the opposite direction to pull the snake out of the drain once it makes its way through the clog.
Run hot water into the drain for a couple of minutes to flush out any remaining debris.

When To Call a Professional Plumber for Help

In some cases, a drain clog requires professional help to clear entirely. Contact a plumber for help if:

Multiple drains are backed up simultaneously.
You smell sewage odors in the home.
You see particularly lush areas of your lawn.
None of the DIY methods worked.
You have an old plumbing system that needs professional attention.

These symptoms could point to a larger problem within your plumbing system, including sewer line blockages, a sewer line break, or tree root infiltration. Each of these problems requires the skilled attention of a qualified plumbing professional to diagnose and repair properly with methods including hydro/sewer jetting.

Have a Stubborn Drain Clog? Call the Plumbers at Peaden!

If you’re experiencing stubborn drain clogs in your home, don’t hesitate to contact the plumbers at Peaden to put your problems to rest.

Our team has over 50 years of experience eliminating blockages from Florida Panhandle plumbing systems. Using our sophisticated video camera pipe inspection technology and state-of-the-art hydro jetting equipment, our team can effectively remove even the most stubborn drain blockage from your system.

From professional drain cleaning to sewer line clog removal, we’ll resolve your plumbing clog in no time. Call Peaden at (855) 557-7878 to request drain clog removal services in Pensacola, Panama City, or Fort Walton Beach today!

Is a Whole-Home Generator Worth It?

April 29th, 2022

While we hope to avoid power outages at all costs, powerful storms are all too familiar to the Florida Panhandle.

Now more than ever, our routines are dependent on electricity, so when the power goes out, the safest and most reliable solution is a whole-home generator. They automatically switch on when your electricity is off so life can continue as normal with no disruption.

Standby Generators vs. Portable Generators

Standby generators are backup power units sized to power an entire house. Also called whole-home generators, they are largely worry-free, run for days or weeks without refueling, and tend to be quiet.

Whole-home generators differ from portable generators in that they run on propane or natural gas, allowing them to run much longer, cleaner, and safer. Portable generators run on gasoline and have a lower output than whole-home generators. They require a manual hookup instead of automatically kicking on.

While both types of generators can power essentials, a professionally installed standby generator is worth every penny for 100% peace of mind during a power outage.

Benefits of Investing in a Whole-Home Generator

When you have a whole-home generator, you don’t have to worry about sitting in the dark, refrigerated perishables spoiling, going without TV or internet, or having no way to charge a cellphone. No matter the state of your neighborhood’s power supply, having reliable electricity for your entire home allows you to:

Prevent sump pump outages: Standby backup power means no disruption to your sump pump, which is particularly important during hurricane conditions with torrential downpours.
Protect your food: Extended power outages mean you have to throw away most if not all perishables in your refrigerator. All major appliances stay operational with a whole-home generator, including your refrigerator and freezer.
Safeguard other properties: Having standby backup power at a rental property or second home means you don’t have to rush over to it during a storm or worry about whether it’s safe and secure.
Increase home value: As power grids continue aging and more unprecedented weather patterns occur (think the arctic blast in 2021), homebuyers will want to see houses with built-in fail-safes for emergencies and power outages.
Power daily essentials: If you work from home, you can stay connected. If you or a loved one uses electric-powered medical equipment, they remain operational. So many daily life essentials run on power, and they all continue running during a power outage when you have a whole-home generator.

Gain Peace of Mind With a Standby Generator

The true convenience and peace of mind of standby power make whole-home generators worth every penny. At Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, we install and repair standby generators to help keep Florida Panhandle homes safe during short and extended power outages.

An experienced professional should install your whole-home generator as the job requires electrical wiring and natural gas hookups.

When you call Peaden for a whole-home generator, we’ll provide:

Upfront pricing
Professional and friendly service
Quality workmanship

Contact Peaden online or call (855) 557-7878 to request generator installation today!

How To Best Prepare Your AC for Summer in Florida

March 23rd, 2022

Summer is when the Florida sun really beats down, causing you to seek relief in the cool AC. Ensure your air conditioner can keep you comfortable without failure with a few simple maintenance steps that can also help you increase system efficiency!

1. Change Your Air Filter

Start summer off right with a clean air filter. When your air handler filter is clogged with dust, it restricts cool air from flowing throughout your home. Some cool air will make it through a dirty filter, but the air will circulate dust and other irritants.

Changing your filter every one to three months allows your AC to run more efficiently, saving you money on your energy bills and improving the indoor air quality for you and your family.

2. Clear Debris From the Outdoor Condenser Unit

Outdoor condenser units tend to get cluttered with twigs and leaves over time. They can also house critters during the winter season.

Ensure your AC is off, and clear away any debris you see near the base of the outdoor unit.

3. Check the Refrigerant Lines

While you’re outside clearing debris around the condenser, inspect the coolant lines. They should be thick insulated tubes or pipes that run from the condenser.

Check for holes, fraying, chew marks, leaks, or other damage that needs professional repair.

4. Schedule a Professional Maintenance Appointment

Now that your AC is thoroughly cleaned and a new filter is in place to ensure efficiency and indoor air quality, schedule air conditioner maintenance with an HVAC technician to complete the tasks that only a professional can do, such as:

Checking and topping off refrigerant
Inspecting breakers and fuses
Cleaning evaporator and condenser coils
Testing thermostat accuracy
And more!

Choose Peaden for Routine AC Maintenance in the Florida Panhandle

The best way to ensure your air conditioner is ready to keep you cool all summer long is by scheduling maintenance with Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical.

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Since 1969, our team has helped homeowners in the Florida Panhandle correct minor problems and avoid major repairs with SmartCare, our routine maintenance program.

Call [site_info_phone_number] or contact us online to schedule a maintenance appointment or sign up for Peaden SmartCare!

Top 5 Signs You Need Sewer Repair

February 28th, 2022

Sewer line issues are particularly difficult to identify because the pipe is buried in your yard. Without an inspection from a professional plumber, you can’t easily see if and where your sewer line is leaking, clogged, or infiltrated by tree roots.

Even if you can’t see the damage yourself, you can often notice the side effects of sewer line damage if you know what to look for.

The plumbing team at Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical has compiled a list of common signs you need sewer line repair so you’ll know when to call us for service.

1. Persistent Drain Clogs and Slow Drainage

There might be a deeper reason why pesky drains keep clogging, especially if you’re experiencing issues across multiple drains.

Consult a plumber instead of buying bottle after bottle of drain cleaner to no avail. Professional sewer jetting is the ultimate solution for clearing a sewer line clog.

2. Increased Pests in Your Yard

If rodents and insects are suddenly hanging around your yard, you may have a sewer line leak.

Pests are attracted to the smell and dampness of a broken sewer line and may find their way into your home through cracks in the pipe.

3. Gurgling Toilets

Your toilets shouldn’t be making excessive noises when they’re not in use.

Bubbling or gurgling toilets often appear before sewage backup, so you may be able to save your home from significant sewer waste damage if you act quickly.

4. Noticeable Sewage Smells

Whether it’s an unmistakable sewage smell or a musty or mildewy odor, it won’t disappear anytime soon if you ignore it.

A professional plumber can identify the source of the odor and repair the cracked pipe or leaking joints.

5. Lush Patches on Your Lawn

Sewage can act as fertilizer for your grass if it’s seeping through the pipe and into the surrounding soil.

These patches are one of the clearest signs that you have a sewer line issue and can help your plumber identify the exact location of the break.

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Contact Peaden for Sewer Line Repair & Replacement in the Florida Panhandle

If any of the signs above seem too familiar, call Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical today! We have over 50 years of experience serving Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City, so we’ve seen and resolved every sewer line issue for every type of sewer pipe.

When you call us for sewer line service, we’ll conduct a comprehensive sewer line inspection to get to the root of the issue quickly and effectively. Based on the severity of the break and the age of your sewer line, we’ll work with you to determine if you need sewer line repair or replacement.

Contact us online or call [site_info_phone_number] to schedule sewer service today!

Do I Need a Furnace in Florida?

December 21st, 2021

Wondering whether it makes sense to invest in a furnace for your Florida home? Even in the furthest southern reaches of the state, where semi-tropics give way to true tropical climates, a furnace is often a wise addition to a home.

In Pensacola, temperatures drop significantly lower more often, and a furnace — while not a heavily used item most years — will certainly be something you’re glad to have.

Today, we’ll look at why you need heating even in Florida, why to invest in a furnace instead of using portable heaters, and what other options you might have for efficiently heating your home.

Why You Need Heating in Florida

The weather in Florida is comfortable or hot so much of the year that it can be easy to forget the occasional dip — especially looking ahead at the winter after a full year of warmth, at the time when you might consider adding a furnace or replacing an old one.

In Pensacola, it’s not unusual for winter temperatures to dip down into the upper 40s and hover around the low 50s. We don’t see the below-zero temperatures that can ravage northern neighbors, but it gets cold enough to be dangerous without heat for prolonged periods.

After all, it’s one thing to be moving around in the 50s or 60s, where it might feel chilly but tolerable to a Florida resident. It’s quite another to be sitting in a frigid room unmoving in your pajamas, perhaps huddled around an old space heater or hiding under a mountain of blankets.

It’s especially important to realize that allowing your home to plummet to low temperatures unchecked and then fly up high again the next day can be seriously taxing on the structure, accelerating wear and tear on your home and property, encouraging moisture to work in unexpected ways on your home, etc.

Why Use a Furnace Instead of Space Heaters?

If you only need your heat for a small part of the year, space heaters might be an attractive alternative to a central furnace or other permanent heating. You can heat the living room in the evening and your bedroom or bedrooms at night, and let the rest be cold — right?

First, you know that leaving your home to the elements can have unexpected drawbacks. But perhaps more important are the dangers associated with space heaters. A space heater, even an electric one, can be a serious safety hazard, potentially causing a fire if left unattended (or left on while you sleep).

Space heaters with combustion, i.e., gas-using space heaters, can be even more dangerous in the event of an accident, causing buildups of toxic gases without adequate ventilation, coating your home in soot, and lowering your indoor air quality.

A properly used furnace is far less likely to have any of these issues, will keep your home comfortable and safe without needing to be monitored, and doesn’t require you to drag around a bunch of space heaters. Furnaces are also more efficient, even taking into account heating less space.

Other Ways To Heat Your Florida Home

If you’re not interested in a full furnace, a heat pump is an excellent way to heat your Florida home when it gets chilly. Duct-based heat pumps and ductless mini-splits can serve double duty as air conditioners and high-efficiency heating in the Florida climate.

As long as temperatures stay above freezing, you can get efficiency as high as three or four times what a furnace gets for a similar amount of electricity. If you already use window units instead of a central AC, changing to ductless mini-splits to do both without needing ductwork is a great option.

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Call Peaden for Home Heating Help

Call the Peaden HVAC technicians at (855) 557-7878 or contact us online to learn more about heating your Florida home efficiently and safely. We’ll gladly help you consider your options!

5 Tips To Help You Avoid Costly AC Repairs This Summer

February 10th, 2021

When you have an air conditioning unit you rely on to keep your family or employees comfortable and productive, you want to stay on top of repairs. While AC repairs are a necessary part of owning a unit, many repairs can be prevented.

Here are a few tips to ensure you have a comfortable summer with as few AC repairs as possible (if any at all).

#1: Schedule Service Before the Hottest Months

You don’t have to wait until you have an issue to call and have your air conditioner serviced. Call before the hottest months and have your AC unit cleaned and inspected by a professional so you stay on top of any issues the heat can bring about.

If you notice you need an AC repair, don’t hesitate to call because it’s summer and you think the company will be too busy. Call when you need to, but if you can be proactive, you may save yourself some time and discomfort.

#2: Get a Programmable Thermostat

If you want to avoid needing AC repairs, invest in a programmable thermostat so you have control over your temperatures when you’re away from home.

The more you learn about the best practices for programmable thermostats and temperature settings, the more money you’ll save on your energy bill and the longer your unit will last.

#3: Start Paying Closer Attention to Filters

When the weather is perfect and you don’t have to use your AC as much, you often won’t have to change your filters as frequently. However, be sure you don’t use this as the standard for how often to clean filters.

In the hottest months of the year, you’ll need to change your filters more often because the unit works harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

#4: Insulate Your Home Better

You can give your air conditioner a major break when you have a well-insulated home, from the windows to the attic. Take the time to ask the AC repair company what you can do to make sure your home is properly keeping the cool air in.

You’ll be surprised how many things you can do that are affordable, plus a few updates you can make to add value to your home and prevent AC repairs.

#5: Don’t Forget the Outside Unit

While people tend to focus on the thermostat and filters, make sure you spend a little time outside cleaning up any debris that has fallen and removing any vines that may have grown into the fan.

When you keep this area of your cooling system clean and stay aware of how it should sound and act when it’s working properly, you’ll find you’re much quicker to spot signs of trouble.