Proper care and maintenance can drastically increase the life and performance of your air conditioning unit, saving you money on repairs and lowering your energy bills. While professional AC maintenance is ideal, there are a number of options for homewoners to stay proactive. Let’s explore some options that are perfect for average home owners and experienced DIYers.
How do I maximize my air conditioner’s energy efficiency?
One way to maximize your air conditioner’s energy efficiency is to use it during off-peak hours. Some cities charge more for electricity during peak hours. By cooling your home down during non-peak hours, you can pay less on your electricity bills.
Keep your AC unit clean. You should take care to vacuum your registers regularly, and you should remove excessive amounts of dust and debris to maximize airflow. When in doubt, always consult a professional or sign up for a regular maintenance plan.
Should I have regular professional maintenance on my unit?
While many tune-ups can in fact be done by some DIYers, only a professional air conditioning tune-up can ensure that your AC system is operating at the highest efficiency possible. The natural wear incurred by weather fluctuations and heavy unit usage can degrade your AC system, and only a professional air conditioning service can ensure that you’re receiving the best efficiency available.
How often should I change my filter?
This sort of air conditioning maintenance is very important and can have a major impact on the longevity, and cost-effectiveness of your unit. Each individual circumstance is different and there are many factors that affect the ideal timeframe to change your filter.
As a general rule, you should change your air filter about once every 80-90 days. This number goes down dramatically if you have severe allergies or own pets. If you have a dog, cat or any other shedding animal, you should change your filter about once every 50-60 days. If you suffer from moderate to severe allergies, you may need to change it every month. Consider contacting your local air conditioning service experts to learn more about proper maintenance for your specific AC system.
How can I protect my AC unit
There are a few ways to make sure that your AC system is being properly shielded from hazards. Try to place it in a protected location so that it is less affected by wind, rain, snow and anything else that nature can muster. Protecting your AC unit can also be done using by utilizing walls, but you can also plant bushes and trees nearby to protect it from damaging wind and sunlight and reduce harmful temperature fluctuations. If you live in a colder climate, you can cover your AC system throughout the winter months. This will help to protect it from ice and snow while it is not being used.
Stay Cool
No one wants to deal with a broken AC system, especially during the scorching summer months. Keep up with regular maintenance on your AC unit and you can rest easy knowing that your house will stay cool and protected. If you would like to learn more about AC maintenance or to schedule an appointment with our air conditioning experts, please get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team.
