People should make sure their air conditioner’s filters are clean, expert says

Many people in Saskatchewan may want to consider taking care of their air conditioner so it can take care of them during this period of sweltering heat.

Curtis Beingessner, the owner of Regina’s Arrow Plumbing and Heating, told the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Tuesday that people should make sure their air conditioner’s filters are clean.

“If your air conditioner doesn’t have enough airflow, it’s eventually going to freeze up and then you will not have any air conditioning in your home,” he said. “If you have a cover on your air conditioner, you should make sure you take that off.”

When it comes to cleaning those filters, Beingessner said all someone needs is a garden hose.

“Just don’t use too high a pressure. You could wash the fuzz off. Make sure (the unit) is not set to come on at that point,” he said.

With the weather being so hot and humid recently, many people might consider opening their windows at night to cool down their home, something Beingessner cautioned against doing.

“Just leave your windows closed and set (the air conditioner’s) temperature up a degree or two at night and it will maintain it,” he said. “It’s easier to maintain the temperature than bring it down.”

Portable air conditioners are suitable for cooling down a room or a smaller home, he said.

Beingessner’s business has been getting a lot of phone calls because of the heat wave.

“We probably are 50/50 right now with service and installs,” he said.

He said for the most part, his business has been able to meet the demand for new air conditioners.

“We’re starting to see … a little bit of … where we’re not able to get a few units,” he said.