Pronounced “h” vac, this acronym stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Proper maintenance is key. This includes cleaning or replacing your filters regularly during the cooling season, as well as scheduling ongoing maintenance for the unit by a cooling professional. Also, by installing shades, drapes, shutters, or screens on any windows that are exposed to extreme sunlight, this helps to keep room temperatures at moderate levels.

Regularly cleaning or replacement of filters helps your a/c operate at peak levels and improves the overall air quality in your home. Therefore, it is important to clean/change filters regularly to ensure proper air flow and to keep your home free from dust, allergens, and germs.

In general, it is recommended that you replace your disposable filters at least once a month. If you have washable filters, they should be cleaned once a month.

You should get maintenance done on your a/c system at least once a year – spring to early summer being the best times. This not only ensures maximum efficiency, it enables your technician to foresee any possible problems that may occur in the near future.

If it’s not working, check to ensure that the a/c is turned on. If so, check that the breakers and the disconnects are turned on and be sure the thermostat is set correctly. Also make a note of any strange noises or smells coming from the unit.

If your unit is it making strange noises, isn’t cooling all areas of your home sufficiently, taking longer to cool down, or if your utility bills have gone up for no apparent reason, then you may have a problem that needs service. In most cases, the longer you delay, the worse the problems will get.