4 Ways to Extend the Life of Your AC
Imagine this: you’re in the midst of a heatwave, and you go to turn up the cooling in your home. Suddenly, the AC stops working. You’ll have to spend the rest of the day sitting in front of a fan and cuddling an ice pack at night. Sound like fun?
It’s important to extend the life of your AC so that you can stay comfortable and safe no matter how hot it gets. Here are some of the best ways to keep your AC working great for a very long time!
What are the Ways to Extend the Life of Your AC?
Here are the 4 best ways to make sure your AC runs efficiently for the long run:
- Make sure the unit stays clean and does not have any buildup.
- Don’t use your AC excessively.
- Make sure the air can properly circulate by keeping the area around your unit clear.
- Annual tune-ups are the best way to keep your AC running for many years to come.
The Benefits When You Extend the Life of Your AC:
- You save money. The longer your AC runs properly, the less you’ll have to pay for major fixes, extra checkups, installations, and brand new units. You also will save on energy bills each month by ensuring your unit is efficiently running.
- You don’t stress. Having a healthy AC and getting your yearly checkup and tune-up are great ways to give yourself peace of mind. No more worrying whether or not your AC will fail when it’s hot outside.
- You form good habits. Getting in the habit of all these ways to extend the life of your AC is great because you will be less likely to neglect the unit. With these good habits, keeping your AC running smoothly will be a breeze (pun intended).
1. Keep it Clean
Your air conditioner will still require routine cleanings even if you follow all the rest of the rules. Simply being outside will cause the exterior AC unit to become dirty. Your AC unit will continue to operate at its best if you clean the dust, grime, leaves, and other debris that collect outside.
It’s not just the outdoor unit that requires cleaning. The air ducts, vents, and indoor units will require cleaning as well. This will keep the air circulating with a clear path. Clean AC units and ducts give you better indoor air quality and better efficiency.
Another aspect of your AC you want to keep clean is the filter. Your air conditioning unit’s durability will be prolonged, its general efficiency will be increased, and you’ll spend less money on electricity as a result of changing out the filters. Change the filters on the recommended schedule for your specific unit and usage.
2. Don’t Use it Too Much
Nonstop use of air conditioners causes them to deteriorate more speedily. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to cut down on AC use. One way is to take advantage of nice days and opt to open up the windows instead. Another way is to strategically plan when you can turn off the unit or alter the thermostat at certain times.
When you’re going out, it is key to turn off the air conditioner and give it a rest. If you have pets and still want to keep the home safe and cool while you’re away, turn the thermostat up to save energy but never go higher than 82 degrees. The closer the temperature of the AC to the outdoor temperature, the less the unit has to work.
Another thing you can do to take it easy on your AC is to take advantage of cooler evening temperatures and raise the temperature at night. you can raise the temperature at night. By taking the opportunity to turn it off or adjust the temperature, you can save energy and extend the life of your AC.
3. Get Rid of Obstacles
Your air conditioner pushes cold air into your home, thus for the air conditioner to run well, there must be adequate ventilation. That means no couches, curtains, or any kind of clutter blocking the vents on your unit or anywhere around the house.
Make sure to remove any obstructions from your home’s air vents so that your AC does not have to work as hard to keep everything cool. The better the air can circulate, the smaller your energy bills and the longer the life of your air conditioning unit.
4. Don’t Forget Your Tune-Up
Even if their air conditioner is functioning perfectly, some people might wonder why regular maintenance is necessary. Is it really necessary to strengthen a system that is still functional? Is yearly AC maintenance actually needed?
The answer is yes. All parts of your AC need care in order to stay energy-efficient and long-lasting. Catching problems early is the best way to keep your AC working and your home cool for many years to come, because as we know, small problems may rapidly grow into bigger ones.
Annual tune-ups help you be sure your AC is ready when you need it most, keeping you comfortable and cool all summer long. With our annual maintenance plans, Live Free Heating Cooling Electric assists New Hampshire residents in achieving this. System cleaning and the following inspection points are part of our 15-point maintenance service:
- Thermostat operation and unit cycling
- Swapping out the filter
- Examination of the blower motor
- Inspection of the condenser fan motor
- Checking the condensate drain
- Condensate discharge pump testing
- Voltage check and 240V and 24V circuit inspection
- Examine and clean the condenser coils as necessary
- Check the system amperage and the compressor
- Check the refrigerant charge
- Calculate cooling degrees to make sure your system is operating appropriately
- Capacitor testing
- Testing of the Schrader core and service valve
- 240Volt or 24Volt contractor coil and electrical terminals check
- Inspection of overflow cutout switches and safety control tests
Is your air conditioning system prepared for the heat? For a free estimate (terms apply) and to begin the path to fresh and healthy air, get in touch with Live Free now!