When you live on the Gulf coast, having your air conditioner go out during the summertime can be miserable. The well-being of your family and pets rests upon you taking a handful of steps to prevent problems before they occur at the worst possible time.

Ensure Your Current Unit Is Properly Sized

There is such a thing as an air conditioner that is too small or large. The system should be chosen based upon the square footage of the building being cooled. If your house has been remodeled, this could be factoring into any cooling issues you have. You can get this checked out by an HVAC company and they’ll let you know if your current system is overworking itself due to improper sizing.

Spring For Periodic HVAC Servicing

The best way to prevent problems from occurring is to properly service your unit. This includes home maintenance you can do yourself as well as service by a professional on a regular basis.

Each month, change the filter in your inside unit. Every type of unit has a filter to prevent excess dust, dander and dirt from getting up into the unit itself. When the filter gets clogged, it forces the unit to work harder, which can wear it out prematurely. Double check the filter size before buying new ones.

Periodic maintenance can also be performed by an HVAC company; this is usually done annually. A technician will come out and clean the coils, clear the drain lines, check coolant levels and inspect the system inside and out for parts that are wearing out. A maintenance call is not expensive but can give you peace of mind that you’re doing all you can to prevent problems from cropping up.

Properly Vet Each Company

Always do your due diligence before hiring a Tampa FL HVAC company. First, check out their website and look for their “about” page. Chances are you can find out some info about the owners, how much experience they have and what kind of services they offer. You wouldn’t want to call a commercial HVAC company if you are servicing your residence or vice versa. Likewise, if you’re looking for special services, like air quality evaluation, be sure to find out if it’s something they can do.

Ensuring that the company is properly licensed by the state will give you confidence that they are performing work according to Florida’s safety regulations. It is required for the company’s license number to be on any advertising, and you can then check to see if they have any complaints. Also, be sure to check for reviews to find candid opinions about the companies you’re considering.