Summer can be exceedingly hard on your air conditioner and lead to quite a few repair calls and even a replacement unit, mostly because of the sheer amount of use that your air conditioner sees in the summer. However, there are a few things that you can do to help you air conditioner make it through the summer, such as the two items listed below.

Clean The Unit's Air Filter

One of the most important and often overlooked air conditioner maintenance tasks is making sure that the air filter is cleaned or replaced on a regular basis. In most cases, you should plan on changing or cleaning the air filter every month during the summer.

If you neglect to clean your air conditioner's air filter, the air conditioner can struggle to draw in enough air to cool the house, which will result in higher utility bills and strain on the unit as it tries to achieve your desired temperature by staying on for longer periods of time. Another issue that can occur when you don't clean the air filter is that dust and debris can end up in the air within your home, which can cause a foul odor to develop or trigger allergic reactions. 

Finding your air filter can be a bit tricky, but it can usually be found near your home's furnace behind a large rectangular vent. Once the vent is open, you can use the hose portion of your vacuum cleaner to remove the dirt and debris. 

Invest In Window Coverings

Another way to help your air conditioner survive the summer is by lowering the temperature within your home as much as possible without using the air conditioner so that your air conditioner does not have to turn on as often or stay on as long. The easiest way to accomplish this is to buy window coverings that are designed to block sunlight, which can result in your home being a few degrees cooler every day. One of the best options for this is a blackout curtain that can block up to 99% of light from passing through it and into your home.

You should also consider solar screens that are designed to replace your current window screens. This option will not only keep out pests, but it can also block a substantial portion of sunlight from entering your home even when the window is open.

Contact an HVAC contractor like High Tech Heating Ventilation And Air Conditioning to discuss what he or she would recommend doing in order to keep your air conditioner in the best possible shape throughout the summer. You can reduce the strain on your system and help your air conditioner survive the summer by cleaning the air filter monthly and investing in window coverings and shades that can keep sunlight out of your home.