subject: Save your air conditioning system with regular maintenance [print this page]
Performing simple maintenance practices and a few other tips can help you avoid having to replace air conditioning. These practices can also reduce energy costs and prevent the cost of repairs and replacement. If the unit has to work hard to cool your home regularly, its life will be much shorter and the energy costs associated with its use will be much higher. One easy thing you can do to increase the life of your air conditioning system is to keep your thermostat set no lower than seventy-two degrees. Energy costs increase by as much as eight percent per degree. This can save a lot of money and prevents the unit from running more than necessary.
Cleaning of both internal and external coils is a must for the air conditioning unit to continue running its best. Dust can attach to the coils and cause buildup that reduces performance. This buildup can make other parts of the unit work harder to cool your home and result in them wearing out before their normal time. Other parts that must be cleaned include the fans and compressor. You may have to replace air conditioning parts or the whole system when these parts are not maintained.
Many homeowners do not know what to check before running their air unit each summer. The only maintenance that might be done is changing of the filters. While this is a very important part of maintenance, cleaning is just as vital. It is often best to have a commercial HVAC service come out and take a look at the unit each year. They can check the compressor and other major parts for problems and clean the parts for optimum efficiency. A commercial HVAC service can also check for refrigerant leaks and a proper charge. These issues cause the unit to not run as it should. It is better if a professional can detect leaks, adjust the charge, and make repairs before use.
Work load on the unit also determines how quickly the unit must be replaced. You can reduce how hard the system has to work by making changes within you home. Shading windows that receive direct sunlight can help. This is especially so for windows on the east and west sides the home. Specific activities can increase the amount of heat within the home. Dish washing, stove-top cooking, and baking should be delayed if possible until the cooler part of the evening. Using a dehumidifier while the air is running will also add to the work load. The unit will have to work harder to cool which increases your total energy cost and system wear.
Keep weeds and brush away from the outside unit. This will keep it cleaner and reduce the amount of maintenance required. Brush prevents air flow and increases the amount of work the unit must do to cool your home as well. When cooling is required, keep your home closed up well. Make sure all windows and other access points are sealed up properly. Cracks and air leaks allow heat to enter the home. Your unit will have to run more often to cool the additional hot air.
Taking appropriate care of an air conditioning system keeps energy costs low and the unit performing well. A commercial HVAC service can clean and maintain a unit to increase overall life.
Save your air conditioning system with regular maintenance
