With summertime temperatures already on the rise, residents want to make sure their air conditioning units are effectively working and well kept in order to stay cool. Gary Prather, the owner of Air Comfort Service Co. LLC in Pace, offers some advice to keep your AC fully functional.
Prather said summer is typically the busiest time of year for him and his employees in making sure air conditioning units are properly functioning in both residential homes and business. Prather said his business also works with commercial refrigeration, and ice machines.
Air Comfort has nearly 500 customers in the Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. As an example, Prather said AC units need good filters, not necessarily the most cost efficient. “I see a lot of people and I know they are trying to save money, but they are buying some cheap (air conditioning) filters,” Prather said. “If you can see through a filter then it is not doing you any good.” The more visible a filter is, the less amount of filtration it offers, he said.
The longtime air conditioning specialist also recommends looking out for the outside AC unit making sure no yard debris or vegetation is keepingit from breathing.
Prather also suggests simply adjusting the AC thermostat, when out of the home. Turning off the unit while a person is away, it usually takes awhile for the household to reach a comfortable temperature.
Should an AC unit stop working, Prather suggests not to fear the worst. First and foremost, check the breaker box to see if the unit is receiving power.
Prather also said a unit could also need a replacement part, instead of being replaced altogether.
Should a unit need to be replaced, Prather suggests shopping around before making a decision on buying a new unit.
“If someone tries to sell you a unit, shop around. Preferably, use local companies,” he said. Prather said larger nationwide companies tend to use shady tactics in order to make sales.
For any questions, HVAC problems or concerns, Prather said his company could be reached at anytime. In addition to financing options, the business offers 24 hour service.
“Our slogan is…we offer comfort for your home and your wallet,” he said.
To help residents prepare for both warm and cool temperatures, Air Comfort offers a performance maintenance agreement.
“We catch it in the fall and spring and we make sure units are tuned up great for the hot season and the cold season,” Prather said.
For $150 a year, a heating and air conditioning technician will offer two tune-ups and 20 percent off parts without an over-time charge, Prather said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Air Comfort Service offers advice to keep ACÂ’s effective during the summer