How To Maintain Your AC in Great Working Condition?

Table of Contents

1. Use Timers
2. Change Filters
3. Clean Vents
4. Fix Leaks
5. Use Insulation
6. Close Blinds and Curtains
7. Make Sure There’s Enough Room for Your Air Conditioner
8. Increase Airflow
9. Keep External Doors and Windows Closed
10. Clean Around the Condenser
11. Consider Upgrading
12. Regular Services

How To Maintain Your AC: To keep your air conditioner running properly, regular maintenance is essential. You can perform many AC repair tasks on your own. Regular AC tune-ups in Gastonia help keep costs low and ensure your AC remains in good condition. Read on for more tips on maintaining your air conditioner

Use Timers

You don’t need to keep your air conditioning high while you’re at work. Install a programmable or smart thermostat to set different temperatures for when you’re home and away. You can buy a timer at any home store, but ensure it matches your device’s voltage.

Newer window AC units come with adjustable thermostats and built-in timers, which you can also purchase at most home stores. Avoid turning off your AC system unless you’re going on vacation. Each time you turn it off, the compressor has to work harder to cool your home when restarted.

Change Filters

Filters that are dirty reduce the performance of your air conditioner, so replace them every month throughout the summer season for window and central units and clean the filters if they’re washable. Look for the minimum efficiency value of the filter, or MERV rating, which runs up to 12 for residential air conditioners.

The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filtration and the higher the energy consumption needed to make the airflow through it, so weigh airflow and quality concerns against energy expenses.

Clean Vents

These vents are where the air conditioner blows cold air. As a result, if these vents are clogged with dirt and dust, not only will airflow be restricted, but filth particles will be expelled into your room.

Inhaling them by accident might result in an allergic response as well as other health issues. This is particularly concerning for youngsters and the elderly. Clean the vents every three months to avoid dust accumulation inside the vent.

Fix Leaks

Ducts could lose as much as 30% of the airflow they produce due to leakage, and window air cons are often difficult to properly seal. The ancient “smoke technique” can be used to locate leaks.

Light an incense stick and place it where your AC unit and your window frame connect window units; place the incense stick near the duct connections for central air.

You’ve got a leak if the smoke is blowing about. Seal minor gaps with foil tape and wider gaps with duct mastic. Fill foam between your air conditioner device and window frame for window AC units, then tape where needed.

Use Insulation

They should be wrapped to keep the air within the ducts in attics and any crawling spaces cold. Spray foam, rigid foam insulation, and batt insulation are good options to use.

Foil tape can be used to seal insulation not normal duct tape. You can also use wraps like Reflectix to provide insulation in compact places.

Close Blinds and Curtains

Keeping your window blinds and shades down during the day extends your cooling system’s life span. You could also install awnings to help protect your doors and windows from the harsh sun.

To disperse and circulate cool air quickly and more efficiently, you can use ceiling and floor fans in combination with your AC.

Make Sure There’s Enough Room for Your Air Conditioner

There are several advantages to installing an air conditioner in a large space. If the surrounding space is clear, air may move freely throughout the room without being obstructed. Both the indoor and outdoor units must be set up in a large space.

Make sure there are no pillars, walls, or other obstructions in the way, such as huge furniture. Because air conditioners need to take in and out air, they will not operate well if they are put in a small space.

Increase Airflow

When you close too many internal doors, your central air conditioning system loses balance, resulting in reduced circulation throughout the house. Keep doors slightly ajar instead of closing them completely.

Keep External Doors and Windows Closed

External doors and windows should be kept securely shut to prevent cool air from escaping outside and heated air from entering the house. Your air conditioner will work overtime to discharge more air into the room if cold air leaks and warm air enters.

This starts a cycle that will continue until the leak is fixed. Your air conditioner may overheat and get damaged if it tries too hard to discharge cool air.

Clean Around the Condenser

The air compressor and condenser of a central air conditioning system are normally positioned outside the house, near the foundation. Remove adjacent bushes, tall grass, leaves, and hanging branches to provide roughly 24 inches of clean space in all directions.

Install condensers or window units on the north or east side of your house, or cover them with a screen to keep the sun off. Leaving them in direct sunlight can diminish their effectiveness by up to 10%.

Consider Upgrading

Federal regulations mandate that air conditioners be far more energy-efficient than those made years ago. Look for the unit’s seasonal energy-efficiency ratio (SEER) for central air conditioning and the energy-efficiency ratio (EER) for window units.

The regulations require a general SEER minimum of 13 and an EER minimum of 8. However, devices with greater figures cost less to run.

Regular Services

The dealer who installed your central air conditioning system, or one you locate locally, should put you on an annual cleaning plan that includes more than simply filter cleaning.

Schedule your service before the hot season begins (or do it now if you haven’t already) and make sure it includes coil cleaning and inspection, filter cleaning and replacement, adjusting fan belts, motor and bearing lubrication, cleaning and inspecting fans, and blowers, and checking pressure and temperatures.

Conclusion

Maintain Your AC in Great Working Condition, Most contemporary air conditioners live for approximately 10-15 years, but they will break down sooner if you don’t look after them and undertake normal maintenance.

Once it happens, the regular repair charges will become inconvenient, and your air conditioner will not function properly. If you follow the advice above, your air conditioner should last a long time and be able to withstand the hard summer temperatures.

Thank you for reading!