Like any major appliance in the home, air conditioning systems are expensive home investments that generally cost many thousands of dollars to install. Because of the substantial cost involved in AC replacement, homeowners often look for ways to extend their A/C’s lifespan. In the following, our NATE-certified technicians here from Upper Arlington Heating & Air detail several ways to help you keep your home cooling equipment running well for as long as possible.
To learn more about ways to get the most out of your air conditioning system or for any other HVAC-related questions, give us a call today!
1. Check System’s Airflow
Air conditioners include the word “air” for a reason. Because they supply cooled air into our homes, keeping proper airflow is essential. This goes without saying. With this in mind, nevertheless, it’s good to keep an eye on the air vents throughout your home and make sure there’s proper airflow. Air vents and air registers are where your air conditioning unit distributes the cooled air into your house. If they are left unchecked, they can become covered or blocked. They should be kept clean. Common things that block them include furniture, wall coverings and appliances. These types of blockages not only affect the indoor temperature but they also cause the A/C unit to work harder than necessary.
2. Keep AC Unit Clean and Clear
Although residential air conditioning systems usually sit quietly outside the home, they need plenty of space! As such, it’s important to make sure there’s always at least a few feet of clear space around your outdoor unit when it’s being used. If shrubs, trees, plants or other landscaping items get too close, it’s not good. Because of this, you should keep them back and trim any growth so they don’t grow into the unit and cause airflow problems during the summer. The less obstruction you have in this surrounding area, the longer the entire system will run and the better.
3. Only Do Business With HVAC Companies That Are Certified
This one is a no-brainer but we have to reiterate it as far too many homeowners try cutting costs by cutting corners. Because A/C’s are expensive systems that are like investments that affect your home value and budget, taking any chances can cost you big time. Air conditioners are built with electrical and mechanical components that need to work seamlessly together with intricate cohesion. If a repair is done and there’s something amiss — which can be the case often when a homeowner hires someone inexperienced or works on their own A/C — the whole system can break down. It can also cause serious damage that’s expensive. Because of this, A/C work is best left to trained technicians who know what they’re doing and stand behind their work.
4. Don’t Skip Regular Maintenance
Homeowners who are consistent with air conditioner maintenance give you a wide range of benefits that will actually save you money in the long run and help you avoid discomfort and headaches. A/C parts tend to wear out from season to season. Over time, if not taken care of properly by a professional, they can fail. By keeping up with maintenance, our technicians can make simple repairs early on that prevent bigger problems down the road. This prolongs the life of your entire A/C. Moreover, maintenance ensures your unit is operating efficiently throughout the summer, which saves you hard-earned money on cooling costs and helps you avoid the sudden need for a full air conditioner replacement.
5. Keep Extra Appliances & Electronics Off
Not only does turning off unused appliances and other electronics help reduce your electricity consumption, but it also helps keep your home cooler in the summer. This is because electronics like clothing dryers, computers, TV, screens and other appliances give off heat. During the summer, the air conditioner has to run more to compensate.
6. Check & Change Your Air Filter Regularly
We’ve already touched on how essential proper airflow is. Along these same lines, a clean air filter goes a long way to enable proper air circulation throughout the house. With proper air circulation, the sensors on our air conditioning systems kick on as needed instead of in short time frames. Air filters need to be free of blockage also so the internal parts don’t end up coated with dust and dirt. In this way, air filters allow for proper mechanical malfunction. Ideally, they should be checked about once a month or every other month during the summer and they might end up needing changed just as often depending on your air quality.
7. Utilize Window Coverings or Window Tint
It should be no secret that the sunlight coming into your home makes it warmer. One can observe this effect merely standing in a window with the sunlight coming in directly. Because uncovered windows allow heat to enter the home or business, it’s a good idea to counteract this to save on cooling costs. One suggestion would be to Install blinds or use curtains and shades to cover the window during daytime hours rather than relying solely on the air conditioner to cool the dwelling. You can also consider window tint.
Need help with an A/C problem?
Call Upper Arlington Heating & Air today at (614) 490-7507, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!
