Your air conditioner bears the brunt of daily use. Hours of operation will soon take its toll, which is why regular maintenance is necessary. As well as keeping your AC unit in tip-top shape, air conditioner services also increase the lifespan of the unit.
Repetitive air conditioning repair in West Jordan, Utah, can add up. To make sure you only hire AC repair services when you need them, it's best to practice some AC maintenance steps at home. These are easy and will make a difference not just to the condition of your AC, but also to your energy bill.
Always keep the coils clean
The coils of your AC unit absorb the heat from your home to allow the refrigerant to cool it. In just a few days of use, your AC coils can become covered in dirt, which will make it less efficient. When this happens, your AC will have to compensate by using more power. It doesn't just increase your energy bill; it will also decrease the lifespan of your unit drastically.
To prevent this from happening, make sure that you keep the outside condenser clean. A deep clean or regular dusting will make a big difference.
Check the fins regularly
Your AC has fins responsible for airflow. However, since these fins are thin, they can get bent over time. If not fixed, it will block the airflow, which will force the unit to compensate by working harder. A quick look at your condenser unit will reveal bent fins. You can easily fix this using a fin comb or a thin bread knife. Try to straighten the fins as much as possible.
Clean or replace your filters
To avoid premature air conditioning repair and installation, you should replace or clean the filters of your AC. Most AC units nowadays have washable filters, which are more economical than purchasing replacements.
Your AC's filter will accumulate dirt, which will soon block the airflow. Worse, the dirt will recirculate in your home and cause respiratory problems.
Make sure that you turn the power off first before replacing the filters for your safety.
Use a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats are must-haves, especially if you keep forgetting to turn the unit off before heading out. This device can be programmed to engage or turn off at pre-set times during the day. Also, these thermostats will adjust the temperature based on the surrounding temperature.
This saves you from skyrocketing energy bills, plus you no longer have to remember to switch off your AC. Although programmable thermostats will cost extra, it's an amazing investment for your home.
Place the condenser under a shade
If you notice that your energy bill is escalating, you should troubleshoot for possible culprits. One of which is your outside condenser. If it's standing in direct sunlight, it will absorb heat. Too cool down, it will need to use extra electricity. This will also impact the lifespan of the unit.
It would help to build a small container to protect the condenser from intense temperatures. You should never block the airflow, however.
Always size it up
If you are thinking of getting a new AC unit, make sure that you have it sized up to your property. Sizing up an AC is the process of selecting the right model based on the number of occupants and size of the property. This way, your AC will not work harder than it should just to keep your property cool.
If you have a high number occupants, you'll need a central AC system that's expandable with additional split-type indoor units.
Control excessive heat from the windows
During the scorching summer, your home absorbs extra heat from outdoors. Some reasons behind this are improperly sealed windows, doors with large gaps, and other leaks.
Aside from sealing these leaks, you should also use drapes to prevent extra heat from penetrating your home. For windows facing the sun, blackout drapes are ideal so you can keep the extra heat out. Also, make sure that you keep doors and windows shut tight so your AC won’t have to produce more cold air to compensate.
Maintain the insulation
So you have checked for everything, but your AC is still consuming more energy and malfunctioning. It’s possible that you missed the insulation. Insulators repel extra heat from getting into the hoses. Over time, AC insulators will get rotten and brittle due to exposure to various outdoor elements.
Make sure that you have them changed regularly. Also, always keep the outdoor AC lines well insulated to prevent leaks and excessive heat absorption.
Let it rest
Like any other piece of technology, your air conditioner still needs to rest from time to time. This is so the engine can cool down and recover from the wear and tear of continuous operation.
If you keep on forgetting to turn it off, a programmable thermostat is an ideal purchase. You just set it then forget it. Your AC will automatically turn on and off based on the time you set.
For households that need round-the-clock cooling, you can turn electric fans on once the interior is cold. This will give a chilly breeze while the AC is resting for an hour or two.
Schedule professional maintenance checks
Most of all, you should schedule professional maintenance checks from AC repair services. This way, you can have early signs of damage diagnosed and fixed.
It may seem costly, but you'll actually save more by being proactive. A damaged AC will not just cost a lot of money, but it will also cause intense discomfort in your household.
You can only check as much on your own. With professional eyes checking on the unit, they can address the problems you missed. Also, they will provide immediate solutions to fix the issue.
Final words
Maintaining your AC and being proactive will save you from unnecessary repairs. Use these tips to make sure you are doing it right. Please let us know if have any questions.