Summer in the Lowcountry can be really hard on your air conditioning unit. Here are some helpful tips to beat the heat in Charleston!

  • Don’t allow the interior of your home to become uncomfortably hot because the air conditioner cannot cool it down within a reasonable amount of time. Air conditioners are designed for about a 20° change in temperature, so 100° air would only be cooled to about 80°.
  • One of the simplest air conditioner tips is to change your air conditioner filters every month to ensure that your family is breathing cleaner air and your HVAC system is not being overworked. Make sure to keep the air intake vents free from dust & build up. It will save energy and money!
  • Run your ceiling fans to stay cooler in the summertime. Check your fans to ensure they are going in the correct direction. In the summer, your fan should be set on “forward,” which means the blades are rotating counter-clockwise. There is a switch on the base where you can control this.
  • It is fairly common for an air conditioner to ice up. The air conditioner drain line can also freeze, backup and cause a leak, which is often confused for a plumbing leak. When this happens, immediately turn off your compressor by switching your thermostat over to fan. As the ice starts to melt, make sure you have proper drainage and submit a work order immediately.
  • Keep heat out of your home by closing blinds, shades and draperies that cover windows facing the sun. Close coverings on east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon. This can keep you cooler and help save energy.
  • Be sure to keep landscaping trimmed neatly around the unit and your pets away.  Pet urine will quickly erode coils and fins. This will also keep the air flowing efficiently and be helpful to the technician in the event you need service.
  • Don’t let heat build up in your home. Appliances, electronic devices and lighting are all common sources of internal heat gain. To combat this excess heat, avoid leaving any of these items on for extended periods of time. Also, avoid putting lamps or televisions near your air conditioner’s thermostat. These heat-generating appliances can cause the thermostat to think the house is warmer than it really is, resulting in the system running longer than necessary and wasting energy.