The Department of Energy says the average life of an air conditioner is about 15 to 20 years. Some units go before their time, and some last much longer. Regular AC maintenance can help your unit run longer, and it ensures your equipment is as efficient as it can be – two things that save you money. However, by neglecting these simple tasks, you may be paying for costly repairs, or worse, a complete replacement of your system. Make sure you are keeping up with regular AC maintenance, and follow these tips to keep your air conditioning system healthy, year ‘round!
Keep your air conditioning unit clean
When filters and ducts are dirty, your air conditioner has to work a lot harder to push air through the system. That puts a strain on every part of the system, which can mean parts start to go bad well before they should. This is one component of your system that you can maintain without calling HVAC contractors. Take regular measures such as changing or cleaning filters and removing debris around the outside compressor.
Regular inspections catch small issues early.
Call on A/C pros in the Edwardsville, IL, area to handle maintenance and inspection tasks once or twice a year. It’s a good idea to have your HVAC unit inspected in the spring (before the warmest months) and in the fall (before the coldest months). Professional air conditioning maintenance can find and correct small issues before they become larger problems that cause your unit to stop working.
Removing obstructions removes burden on your air conditioner.
During inspections, professionals can check your ducts for obstructions that need to be removed. Doing so allows air to flow freer through the entire system, providing the same benefits as a clean filter. They can also discover leaks or other issues in the ducts, which might be causing the air conditioner to work overtime, putting even more pressure on parts.
Aging systems might need a recharge to keep running a few more years.
In some cases, older systems lose refrigerant slowly over time, which can cause the system to blow warm air. Running the system without the right levels of refrigerant also causes more wear and tear on the components, which can lead to failure of the unit. Having an HVAC pro in Edwardsville, IL recharge your A/C can add a few years to the unit’s life in some cases.
The best way to protect your investment in any A/C installation is to ensure routine maintenance is performed.
