A properly working air conditioning unit can be the difference between a comfortable summer day and an uncomfortable one. You can do several things year-round to keep your AC from wearing down. Regular AC repair services help sustain the lifespan of your HVAC system.
Your air conditioner’s health is in your hands, from AC duct cleaning to routine maintenance around the home. Thankfully, keeping your air conditioner in top shape is not that difficult. Here are some of the best things you can do to prevent AC wear and tear:
AC Repair Services
Scheduling maintenance and air conditioning repair services helps to ensure that your home cooling unit is in good shape. Having an HVAC professional inspect your home and diagnose issues can solve problems you may be unaware of. Here are some essential AC repair services you or a technician may perform to keep your unit running smoothly.
Replacing Air Filters
Replacing your air filters is an easy DIY task; it’s also likely to be one of the first things your HVAC technician inspects. Clean air filters help your AC run more efficiently and protect it from wear and tear over time.
If your air filters wear down, dust and other particles can get inside the unit itself and cause damage. An old filter can also make your AC unit work harder to keep you cool, wearing it down faster.
Upgrade to a Smart or Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can save your AC from wear and tear by making it work more efficiently. With programmable thermostats, you can set your thermostat to keep your home cooler at certain times based on your needs. These advanced thermostats allow you to power down your AC unit while you’re at work or out of the house. Or you can set it to run at cooler temperatures during the afternoon and less cool at night.
A programmable thermostat allows you to control better when your AC unit is working the hardest. Rather than setting one temperature for the day, you can run it as needed. Doing so prevents your AC unit from overworking, leading to wear and tear.
The benefits don’t end there. A programmable thermostat can also help you save on utility bills all year long. If you think a programmable thermostat can help you, speak to your HVAC technician about options and installation.
Outdoor AC Unit Maintenance
Your indoor AC units are essential for circulating air through your home. But your outdoor unit is just as important and should not be neglected. After all, the condenser unit is where all the work of cooling your home gets done. So proper maintenance is essential.
It can often be easy for debris and particles to work into your outdoor unit. While condensers can withstand the elements, they still require routine maintenance to keep clean. Make sure to clear out debris surrounding your outdoor unit regularly. Any clutter around your unit can put it at risk of internal damage.
It’s also important to occasionally spray your AC unit with a garden hose to clean exterior components. Spraying it down clears out any dirt, leaves, or other contaminants that could do damage and keep it from working efficiently.
Regular AC repair services of your outdoor unit is recommended, but it can be especially important to clean it after storms. If you’re experiencing technical problems with your AC, always consult your HVAC technician rather than attempting self-repairs.s
Maintaining and Cleaning AC Unit
Sometimes maintaining your AC unit’s health doesn’t require any mechanical work. Here are some non-mechanical tips to help keep your AC running properly.
Clean AC Vents
AC duct cleaning is one of the most fundamental ways to maintain your AC unit’s long-term health. Air vents are responsible for circulating air through your home. If they’re dirty or dusty, this can overtax your AC and cause it to work harder than it needs to.
Luckily, cleaning your air ducts doesn’t always require a specialized air duct cleaning service. This task can be a relatively simple DIY project. Remove your vent covers and gently wipe them with a solution of warm water and dish soap. While your covers are drying, you can use a vacuum hose to vacuum your ducts.
You don’t need to clean your vents and duct system often. The general recommendation is to clean them every three to five years. If you think dirty vents are causing your AC to run less efficiently, it doesn’t hurt to clean your duct work as needed.
Keep Your Home Clean
A clean home can prolong the life of your air conditioner; this may seem like an exaggeration, but it’s pretty straightforward. You already know that you should consistently replace your air filters to keep harmful particles out of your AC unit. The same concept applies here.
If your home is consistently free of dust, dirt, and other irritants, there’s less risk of those particles entering your AC. The cleaner your home, the cleaner your indoor air quality will be. And with clean air, your AC unit won’t have to work as hard.
Make Sure Your Home is Properly Insulated
Your air conditioning unit works by trying to keep the air in your home at the temperature set on your thermostat. If your home isn’t adequately insulated, you could be letting air in or out, interfering with the temperature inside. Cool air leaking out or warm air leaking in can disturb your thermostat’s ability to read the temperature accurately. This could result in your AC running indefinitely to reach your set temperature.
Inspect your home for drafts or cool spots. Old, drafty windows can be one of the leading culprits of overtaxed heating and cooling systems. Your HVAC technician will be able to help you identify improperly insulated areas of your home.
Schedule an AC Repair or Maintenance Service
Even if your air conditioning system seems to be running efficiently, it still pays to have a professional inspect your AC unit. AC maintenance can be particularly important in the months leading up to summer. In most homes, your AC goes untouched throughout the fall and winter. All that time spent dormant means your ducts or units could collect dust.
If your HVAC system has developed any problems over the winter, you won’t know until you try to start it up. Allowing Service Patriots to manage your HVAC needs can keep you comfortable in your home year-round. Service Patriots has spent over two decades keeping southwest Washington and northern Oregon homeowners cool during the year’s hottest months.
Service Patriots’ highly experienced and professional technicians treat every home they work on as their own. Whether you need repairs, cleaning, or want an inspection, contact Service Patriots to schedule an appointment.
