Top 5 Ways to Elongate the Life of Your Home Air Conditioner
Proper care of your home’s air conditioner will ensure it operates efficiently and continues to work well beyond its expected lifespan. The typical lifespan for an air conditioning system is 12 to 15 years. Your air conditioner may work for many more years when it is properly maintained. There are five ways that you can help extend the life of your air conditioner.
Give it a Rest
Air conditioners that are turned on and run all day tend to wear out quicker. Turn off the air conditioner if you plan to leave home for any length of time. Turn up the thermostat a minimum of 5 degrees to allow your air conditioner to stay on, but not cool the air. This will help to prolong the life of the unit as it will not run if you are not at home. You should also turn up the thermostat at night. If your home is warm at night, then open a few windows and turn on a fan to circulate air.
Check for Leaks
The air conditioner for your home should be examined for leaks at least once a year. You can easily do this at the beginning of the summer season with a Bell Brothers 30 point tune-up. If there are any leaky hoses, then the unit can have problems that may cause a breakdown. Preventative maintenance will ensure that the unit does not fail at the worst time, such as the hottest days of summer.
Outdoor Unit Cleaning
The outdoor unit of a central air conditioner contains a fan or compressor. You need to make sure the outside unit is free of leaves and other debris. Exposed parts can easily be cleaned with water from a garden hose. If you keep the outside unit clean on a regular basis, then there will be less of a chance of mechanical failure.
Perform Airflow Check
Proper airflow in your home is needed to ensure the air conditioner operates efficiently. You should not have any furniture or other items blocking registers and cold air returns. Airflow is also affected if your air filter is dirty. Check the air filter every 30 to 60 days. If you have pets or live in a high pollen area, then the air filter may need cleaning or replacing more often. A Bell Brothers technician will be happy to show you how to do this.
Clean the Ducts
Dirt and debris can build up in the ducts and make the air conditioner work harder. Check for debris or lint in the ducts by removing the registers and cold air returns. Clean the inside of the registers and the cold air returns by using a vacuum cleaner. This should be done at least once per year before the air conditioner needs to be used and can be performed during your annual maintenance. .
Signing up annual maintenance program will ensure that your system is running efficiently all season long. For more information on Bell Brothers Comfort Club be sure to give us a call. We’d be happy to answer all of your questions surrounding the health of your air conditioner!