An air conditioning unit is a significant investment for any homeowner, and to extend its lifespan and ensure it works efficiently, proper care and maintenance must be performed regularly. Failure to do this could result in expensive repairs, shorter lifespan, higher energy bills and energy waste – here are easy strategies that could extend its life and prevent costly repairs down the line.
Keep Air Filters Clean
Your air conditioning filter plays a vital role in keeping the air circulating through your home clean, fresh, and free from dirt and other particles that accumulate over time. Over time, however, this collection may cause it to clog and reduce efficiency while increasing energy bills – to prevent this, make sure that you change out your filter regularly – at least every three months or as recommended by its manufacturer.
Keep the Outdoor Unit Clean
Your air conditioning outdoor unit is exposed to the elements, which may cause debris such as leaves, grass and twigs to accumulate over time and reduce airflow, forcing the unit to work harder than necessary. To avoid this, regularly clean it and ensure at least two feet of clearance around its unit.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Your air conditioning unit must receive regular maintenance to maximize its performance and extend its lifespan. Consider hiring a professional technician at least once every year (preferably in spring before normal usage of your AC) to inspect and tune up your unit before it starts running daily – regular inspection will catch any potential problems before they escalate into expensive repairs and save both money and hassle in repairs down the line.
Refrigeration Level
Air Conditioning Cooling Your air conditioning unit relies on refrigerant to efficiently cool the air. However, as time passes, its levels may deplete, leading to reduced efficiency and higher energy bills. If your AC is no longer cooling effectively as before, have a professional technician check and replenish its levels if necessary.
Maintain an Efficient Unit
Running your air conditioning unit efficiently is vital to prolonging its lifespan. To do this, set the thermostat to an appropriate, yet not too low setting; setting it too low will force it to work harder and reduce its lifespan significantly. Furthermore, keep windows and doors closed when operating the air conditioner, and use fans to circulate cool air throughout the home.
Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat
Switching to a programmable thermostat can extend the lifespan of your air conditioning unit.
A programmable thermostat allows you to set temperatures according to your schedule, meaning the AC doesn’t have to work harder than necessary and therefore saves energy and reduces bills. Additionally, these advanced controls may save money and lower bills overall!
Check for Leaks
Leaky ducts can force an air conditioning unit to work harder than necessary, increasing energy costs and shortening its lifespan. To protect against this possibility, inspect your duct system regularly for gaps or cracks, sealing them quickly with foil tape or mastic sealant if any leaks are found. For added peace of mind, have an insulation specialist inspect your attic for any potential insulation issues.
Switch Your AC Unit Off When Not Needed
When not in use, make sure to switch off your air conditioning unit – this will reduce energy consumption and extend its lifespan. For even more significant savings and convenience, invest in a timer to turn on and off at specified times of the day or week.
Allow for Circulation In Your Home
To keep your air conditioning unit operating optimally, allow sufficient airflow and circulation within your home. For example, keep furniture away from vents and outlets that restrict airflow, forcing the team to work harder than necessary. Similarly, fans are great tools for spreading cool air throughout the home.
Replace Your Air Conditioning Unit When Necessary
If your air conditioning unit is over ten years old, it may be time for an upgrade. Older units tend to be less energy-efficient and more likely to break down. Newer ones offer increased environmental friendliness and advanced features like intelligent thermostats and variable-speed compressors that may simplify life for all concerned.
Replacing Filters
Clean the filters regularly to keep your air conditioning unit operating efficiently. Over time, dirt and dust accumulate on filters, restricting airflow and forcing your team to work harder than necessary. Make sure you replace it once yearly too.
Maintaining Your Air Conditioning Unit Can Offer Many Advantages
Maintaining your air conditioning unit offers many advantages, including increasing lifespan, cutting energy costs, and avoiding costly repairs. Incorporating regular maintenance checks, such as changing the filter regularly or keeping the outdoor unit tidy into your routine, ensures optimal operation and reduces strain on the system. Scheduling regular maintenance checks and inspecting the refrigerant level can detect issues early, helping avoid breakdowns and expensive repairs.
Why Rely On Air Conditioning Companies for Maintenance?
Utilizing the services of an air conditioning company for maintenance offers numerous advantages. First and foremost, these firms employ trained and certified technicians with the expertise to address any repairs or maintenance needs quickly and effectively. These professionals possess all of the equipment necessary to diagnose and repair any issues with your air conditioning unit, ensuring it runs efficiently and lasts longer.
Additionally, air conditioning companies often offer regular maintenance plans which can detect potential problems before they become costly repairs. These companies also stay informed on the newest technologies and advancements for air conditioning units so that they can offer you practical solutions. Plus, using an air conditioning company for maintenance gives you peace of mind knowing that your team will keep you cool and comfortable throughout the hot summer months.
Proper care and maintenance of an air conditioning unit are vital to prolonging its lifespan, such as changing air filters regularly, cleaning outdoor units often, scheduling regular maintenance visits, checking refrigerant levels regularly, upgrading to a programmable thermostat when possible and replacing units when necessary. By following these simple steps, you can enjoy cool, comfortable air for years while cutting energy bills significantly and avoiding costly repairs.
