Increase the Life of Your AC system
Your air conditioner is obviously one of the most important components of your home climate control system. If this piece of equipment is used properly and taken care of, the unit can last upwards of 15 years. However, many homeowners neglect their air conditioner in ways that can significantly impact the lifespan of the unit. Since the air conditioner is a vital piece of the home climate control system and repairs and replacement can be very expensive, it is important for you to take steps to increase the life of your air conditioner.
1. REGULARLY REPLACE THE AIR CONDITIONER FILTER
Keeping a clean filter in the air conditioning system is one of the most important parts of keeping the unit working properly. The filter helps to keep dirt, dust and debris from entering the condenser coil and causing damage to the system. When the filter is dirty or clogged, the air conditioner not only loses efficiency, but it also has to work harder to provide cool air. Along with causing the operational cost of the air conditioner to rise, this additional strain on the system can cause damage to other components and reduce the life of the unit.
2. CLEAN THE HOME DUCT WORK
Over the years of channeling warm and cool air around the home, the ducts can become dusty, dirty and even clogged. When the ducts and registers become dirty or obstructed this can rob the system of some of its overall efficiency and cause the air conditioner to work harder. Occasionally the home ductwork will need to be cleaned to ensure efficient operation and a long operating life.
3. ALLOW THE SYSTEM A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF REST
One of the main factors that will cut short the lifespan of an air conditioner is overuse. Having the system constantly running at a high level will afford the machine no time to rest and cause significant harm to the components. Opening some windows and providing the air conditioner with some rest when you are away from home can help to prolong the life of the unit. Taking advantage of the cooler night air will also allow you to turn the temperature up on the thermostat and at least reduce the workload. A further step that can help the homeowner to manage the usage of their air conditioner is to install a programmable thermostat.
4. GET THE AIR CONDITIONER INSPECTED AND CLEANED EACH YEAR
Homeowners should also get their air conditioners inspected and cleaned annually. In the inspection phase the technician will check the unit for any leaks, test the refrigerant levels, inspect the electrical connections, check the airflow and test to make sure that all of the parts are working properly. During the cleaning phase they will clean the coils and the drain channel and replace the filter. The annual cleaning and inspection will not only help to extend the life of your air conditioner, but it will also ensure that the unit is working at its peak efficiency.
Investing a little bit of time and money into maintaining your air conditioner is an investment in the unit itself. The air conditioner is an expensive machine and the replacement will cost you a significant amount of money. Keeping your air conditioner in good working order will not only extend the life of the machine, but it will also increase efficiency and reduce the cost of cooling the home in the summer.