As the summer heat kicks in, the last thing anyone wants is to be stuck in a hot car. Thankfully, there are some simple techniques that you can use to make your car air conditioner work better. To help you out, here are tips given by AC repair services to increase the efficiency of your car air conditioner:
Always release the hot air trapped in your car.
If you have parked your car and want to leave, don’t crank up the ac the moment you get in. Instead, you should release the hot air that might be trapped in the car.
The beauty is that it’s easy to do it. All you need to do is to roll down the windows, and the hot air will escape, and cool air get in. As you can tell, this will make the car feel cool and comfortable, and even if you use the AC, it will just be for a short time.
In most cases, you won’t even need to use your ac. You simply continue running the car with the AC off.
Keep the AC condenser clean.
The car AC condenser re-cools the refrigerant by expelling surplus heat into the airflow.
The condenser is located in the front of the vehicle and is subject to dirt, debris, and insects that may accumulate on its surface. Washing the condenser’s exterior with water and mild detergent regularly will help eliminate these pollutants and increase its performance.
For peace of mind, regularly clean the AC condenser. There is no strict time to do it, but the frequency should align with how frequently you use your car.
Besides cleaning the AC condenser, you also should regularly check it for damage. This is because road debris, rocks, and accidents can cause damage to the AC condenser.
If the condenser is damaged, have it fixed or replaced as soon as possible to ensure that it continues functioning optimally.
You also should consider installing a protective screen in front of the condenser to keep debris and insects off the condenser’s surface. To avoid interfering with the car’s working, choose a screen that does not obstruct airflow to the condenser.
Park your car away from direct sunlight.
If feasible, park your car in the shade or use a car parasol to keep the sun’s rays out of your car. This will keep the interior cool and lessen the workload on the air conditioner.
You should note that when you let your car sit under direct sunlight for too long, the temperature inside builds up, sometimes even higher than the outside temperature.
The consequence is you put a lot of stress on the AC as it has to work too hard to keep the house cool.
Parking your car under a shade doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply find a shaded area and park the car.
Service your car regularly.
It is crucial that you service your car regularly for effective cooling. As you service the car, the service provider will also service the AC, which gives you peace of mind that the air conditioner is in good working order and provides adequate cooling.
ACs are not used all year, and the appliance might become dusty and jerky while not in use. When you visit a car service center, remind the service provider also to give attention to the AC.
Ensure the service provider checks the AC system for leaks with a leak detection kit during the service. They should check for leaks in the hoses, couplings, or compressors.
If your system is running low on refrigerant, they should recharge it. This can be accomplished by obtaining a refrigerant can with a gauge and following the instructions on the container.
What is the condition of the cabin oil filter? The service provider should confirm it because the cabin air filter collects dust and other particles and should be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.
You should replace it if it’s too dirty or past the manufacturer-recommended mileage.
Ensure that no cool air is escaping the cabin.
You can have the most efficient air conditioner, but if you are allowing the cool air to escape, there is no way you will have a highly efficient unit that you can be proud of.
Remember that if the cold air can escape your car, the AC will have to work more to keep the car cool and comfortable, and you don’t want this, do you?
As you are servicing the car, have the service provider confirm that the car is airtight and no air is escaping. If there are worn-out rubbers, replace them. You also should seal any holes that might be present.
When driving with the AC running, close all windows and doors tightly to prevent the chilly air from escaping. You should note that even a little space can allow warm air from outside to enter your vehicle, causing the air conditioning system to work harder and consume more gasoline. Keep the doors as tight as possible and ensure no air comes in or goes out.
Keep the AC filters clean.
Dirty AC filters might obstruct air intake. As a result, the AC takes longer to cool the car, resulting in higher fuel costs.
For an optimally functioning unit, you should keep your car’s air conditioning filters clean. You should clean your car’s AC filters every 6-12 months.
You can also do it more frequently if you reside in a dusty or polluted location.
If you are a dab hand at DIY projects, you can clean the filters yourself, but if you don’t have the time or skills, let experienced air conditioner repair services Stony Brook providers do the work.
When hiring repair professionals, don’t hire the first one you come across. Instead, research and find a reputable one experienced in servicing air conditioners.