Air conditioners can last a really long time — anywhere from 15 to 20 years, on average. The key to ensuring that your air conditioning system lasts as long as possible relies on whether or not you keep your system properly maintained by doing a few simple items and having any repairs addressed promptly.
Below is a list of things that every homeowner can do to maintain their air conditioning system. While most of them can be accomplished relatively simply, if you are uncomfortable doing any of the below actions, contact an HVAC company to schedule regular AC service to have it done for you.
Replace the Air Filters
On average, a homeowner should replace the air filters every 3 to 6 months. That number can fluctuate though, depending on a number of factors. If you live in a particularly dusty part of the United States, for example, or if there's a lot of construction going on around you, then the air will naturally be dirtier and you'll need to replace the filters more often. Alternatively, if anybody underneath your roof struggles with asthma or allergy issues, then you should not only replace it more often, but you should also look for models that are more robust than standard air filters. Failure to do this will cause more dirt to build up inside your air conditioner and cause it to fail prematurely.
Clean the Condenser Coils
Head outside to your physical air conditioner and take the grates off the outside of the unit. Look inside for the condenser coils; when you find them, unplug the system and use a rag to wipe them down. The condenser coils are responsible for converting the hot air that is outside into the cold air that then blows throughout your home, so if there's any barrier in between these two locations, that process won't take place. Wiping them down is simple and one of the best ways to ensure your system operates efficiently.
Clean Your Fan Blades
While the grates in your air conditioner are still off, take a rag and wipe down the fan blades as well. Over time, there can be a layer of dirt and grime that will build up on the blades, causing them not to spin as fast as possible and increasing the amount of energy it takes to make it run in the first place. This will cause your system to work harder and cause your utility bills to skyrocket, so not only will doing this preserve the life of your AC unit, but it will also make it less expensive to operate in the meantime.
Share25 November 2020
Can furnace repairs be made by the average DIYer? If you know a little about what you are doing, is it possible to avoid the expense of having a professional come out to take care of any problems that you are having? My blog is all about furnace safety and repair. You will learn a few things that you can do on your own and advice for when to call in the professional repair technician to assist with the repairs. By the time you reach the end, you will have a better understanding of what you can and should not do on your own.
