If you live in an area with a hotter climate, you should be aware of the dangers of overusing your air conditioner. And with that, you should know how to extend its service life, too.
If you live in Modesto, California, you may have already called for professional AC repair services at least once. If not, you can use these tips to make your air conditioner last longer.
1. Schedule regular cleaning and maintenance
Any piece of equipment can last long if it’s well taken care of. An air conditioner is no different. If you want your AC to last as long as it is supposed to, hire a company to do preventive maintenance on your unit. Preventive air conditioner maintenance includes cleaning, inspection, tune-ups, and repairs that can prevent major problems from arising. If you don’t have an HVAC company on your phone list, search for a reliable one to perform regular maintenance.
2. Replace air filters regularly
Air filters can collect all sorts of nasty stuff like dust, debris, dander, pollen, and other potential contaminants. When these things accumulate in your air filter, your air conditioner may have a harder time functioning because of the limited air supply. Therefore, we recommend that you replace your HVAC filter once every three months. If you use the AC frequently, such as in the summer months, replace the filter once a month.
3. Get a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat, which is also called a setback thermostat, is designed to allow homeowners to automate the house’s temperature throughout the day. This thermostat lets you program a group of settings that will help you minimize heating and cooling losses throughout the day. For example, you can schedule your thermostat to turn off cooling or heat when you’re at work, then turn it back on when you arrive. Not only with this save you hundreds of dollars in utility bills, but it also takes a load off of your HVAC system.
4. Improve the indoor air quality
If your AC is getting a little sputtery and your family is suffering from the allergens and humidity in the house, hit two birds with one stone by addressing your air quality issues.
When your AC cannot improve the humidity by itself, try using dehumidifiers, energy-recovery ventilators, and home air-purifiers that can 1) improve air quality, and 2) improve the function of your air conditioning unit.
5. Allow air to flow freely
It could make more sense to keep doors and windows closed in rooms that you don’t use to save on energy bills, but it doesn’t exactly have that desired effect. When you close some registers in your house, it can lead to your air conditioner working twice as hard to cool the entire home. Therefore, it’s better to keep all registers (and interior doors) open and make sure the air can flow freely inside the house.
HVAC repairs are expensive enough; you don’t want to turn those repairs into replacements. That said, we recommend following these tips to make your air conditioner last for as long as possible to avoid unnecessary purchases or costly repairs.
