When the Oklahoma heat dome parks over OKC, your air conditioner works overtime. Here’s the no-nonsense guide our licensed HVAC techs give neighbors to keep homes cooler and bills lower—without sacrificing comfort.
Quick Wins You Can Do in 15 Minutes
Low-Cost Tweaks that Pay Back Fast
1) Dial in your thermostat schedule
Program “Home/Leave/Sleep” blocks. A smart stat can pre-cool before the hottest hour, then float a degree or two during peak.
2) Upgrade weatherstripping & attic hatch
Hot attic air sneaking in around doors and the attic scuttle can add a surprising load. Foam gasket the hatch and seal door bottoms.
3) Shade the condenser (smartly)
Light, open shade that doesn’t block airflow can help. Don’t box it in; you need 24" of clear space on all sides and 5' above.
4) Seal the return side
Leaky returns suck 130°F attic air into your system. We smoke-test and mastic-seal returns to drop run time and even out rooms.
5) Clean the coils
A dirty evaporator or condenser can add 10–20% to energy use. We use non-acid coil cleaners and verify superheat/subcooling after.
| Action | Typical Energy Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raise stat 2°F with fans on | ~4–8% reduction | Comfort maintained via airflow |
| Coil clean + new filter | ~10–20% reduction | Depends on soil & coil condition |
| Seal return leaks | ~5–15% reduction | Homes with attic returns see the biggest gain |
When DIY Stops: Signs You Need a Pro
- Ice on the refrigerant line or coil (shut system to “Fan” to thaw and call).
- Breaker trips again after reset (don’t keep resetting—could be a failing compressor or short).
- Burning smell or buzzing at the condenser (possible contactor/capacitor issue).
- Water at the air handler or ceiling stains (clogged condensate drain or float switch failure).
Make Sure Your System Isn’t Fighting Itself
Every AC has a few “ports and parts” that tell the truth about what’s going on:
We test, document, and show you readings on-site so you know your system is healthy, safe, and efficient.
Myths That Waste Money
What Elite Does on a Heat-Wave Service Call
- Listen first: symptoms, noises, smells, and when it happens.
- Safety & power check: disconnects, wiring, breaker integrity.
- Airflow & filter path: returns, coil surface, blower amps.
- Refrigerant circuit: pressures, superheat/subcooling, leak survey.
- Fix + verify: parts installed cleanly, temps and pressures re-tested.
- Proof & tips: we show numbers, photos, and simple ways to save.