Ah, June. School’s out, the days are long, and the weather’s getting toasty. We get it—your vacation is beckoning. But before you slather yourself with SPF 75 and reach for a margarita, do yourself a favor and tackle a few maintenance projects. A little pain now means a big gain later—you’ll ensure your home runs smoothly through the dog days of summer.
One of the first things you should check off your June Home Maintenance To-Do list is to check your AC. “The last thing you want is a busted air conditioner, so before a heat wave hits, give it a test run for 30 minutes to make sure it’s cooling properly,” says Dave Quandt, vice president of field operations at American Home Shield, a home warranty company.
While you’re at it, clean and/or change the air filter, which is often a prime reason for your AC not cooling effectively. Changing or cleaning your air filter is the easiest and least expensive way to improve your unit’s functionality. And here’s another cost-saving trick: to extend the life of your AC unit, adjust your programmable thermostat by only 2 to 3 degrees at a time.
When to Call in the Pros: If anything seems off, call in a professional HVAC company. You’ll spend between $100 and $250 for service, which includes cleaning the condenser and lubricating the fan motor. When the outdoor temps go deep into the red zone, you’ll likely consider it money well-spent.
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