<< Maintenance Tips

Care to be Taken

If your air conditioner has stopped working the two most likely culprits are usually a single defective part or lack of routine maintenance. Similar to your car, your air conditioner is a mechanical system and requires regular maintenance and service. How long would you expect your car to last if you never changed the oil? How long could it go if you never rotated the tires or checked the brakes? The same thing can be said about one of the most important pieces of equipment in your life, your air conditioner. Without a routine maintenance program, our automobiles break down and so do our air conditioners.

Unfortunately, most of us get complacent when it comes to conditioning our living space. We do not want to think about air unless there is something wrong with it. We fall into the classic trap of out of sight, out of mind. We may not even notice that our energy bills are climbing higher and higher every year. That is when the "hot summer" hits us the most. The utility bill doubles and we end up writing multiple large checks.

Age Factor

If your air conditioning system is over 10 years old, excessive energy consumption and frequent repairs are the trademarks of worn out system. Although many systems can function for many more years, a new high-efficiency system can save you time, money, and headaches. They may even pay for themselves by dramatically lowering your utility costs.

If your air conditioning system is under 10 years old a routine maintenance service is almost always the preferred choice. Many homeowners don't know that they can significantly increase their air conditioning performance with annual or biennial check ups.

The most expensive option is the "if it isn't broke don't fix it" sentiment. Chances are that an old air conditioning system will fail when it's working the hardest and you need it most. Contractors know this and adjust their prices accordingly. Not only are you waiting one to two weeks for an "emergency" install, prices increase 15-20% during peak months. The pressure on your wallet may be the least of your concerns. A damaged or defective air conditioning system can put you and your family at risk from a fire, biological, asbestos or other hazard.

Take a few moments and think about your air conditioning system. If it's over 10 years old it's probably time to start budgeting for a new high efficiency model. If it's less than 10 years old, make sure your system is professionally maintained so you can keep your cool and your utility bills low.

Before following any air conditioner maintenance tips, always read the instruction manual carefully. The product manual contains necessary maintenance information provided by the manufacturer, which will enable you to understand about the important parts and components of the air conditioner. After you are well informed about all the components, maintenance is just the next step ahead.

Air Filter Replacement and Thermostat's Temperature

Make it a point to replace the air filter as per the recommendations given by the manufacturer in the product manual. The more inexpensive the filter, the more frequently you'll need to replace it. There are some filters which are supposed to be cleaned once in a month or a quarter. Maintain the thermostat's level at a constant temperature, irrespective of you being at home or not. If the temperature is the same constantly, the air conditioner has to work less to provide cooling. There is a common misconception among some people that the thermostat's temperature should be increased when leaving the house. If this is done, the AC will have to consume more power to cool the room.

Cooling Coils and Air Vents

Ensure that the cooling coils are cleaned and checked once in a year. They may be cleaned by putting water on them using pressure. But make sure ensure that the device is switched off while doing so. Also make sure that some kind of absorbent protection is present under the return air vent. If air conditioners are not in a well-kept state, water may come out of these air vents.

Compressor

The compressor component also needs to be kept away from dust and dirt. You may utilize a water hose for getting rid of the dust. By doing so, you enable the airflow to work more expeditiously across the cooling fins on the component. When the AC is not needed, as in winter, simply cover the compressor with a cloth which will prevent dust from accumulating. You even need to examine if the hose connections have leaks, and the condensate tube is able to drain freely.

Check if the air conditioner panels are screwed tightly. If they are not, simply fasten the screws. In case of window ACs, it's recommended that you remove them when they're not needed for months. Window ACs are supposed to be positioned in windows which are least exposed to direct sunlight. Those which are placed in a shade need less power to function effectively. You may use plants or shrubs to shade the AC, but ensure that they do not block the airflow.

Along with all these air conditioner maintenance tips, you should also get the air conditioner checked and examined by a professional technician from time to time. Maintaining it well will simply result in less repair costs and reasonable electricity bills.