The air conditioner is one of the most expensive and essential pieces of equipment in your home. Although cooling equipment is built durably to give you 15 or more years of cooling comfort, your actions can undermine its ability to work efficiently or even shorten its life span. Here are three things to avoid doing to your A/C.
Adding to the Equipment’s Workload
In Arizona’s climate, an air conditioner works extra hard through a prolonged cooling season with extremely hot temperatures. If you’re not taking appropriate measures to lessen its workload, it can break down or fail prematurely under the strain. To reduce your cooling requirements, make sure your home is properly insulated and weatherized and that the outdoor A/C unit is shaded. Have a programmable thermostat installed and use it to set daily temperature setbacks when you’re sleeping or at work. Install energy-efficient window coverings and close them up during the day. Run your ceiling fans to help the equipment cool more efficiently.
Running the A/C With a Dirty Air Filter
When the air filter gets clogged up with dirt and dust, your A/C has to struggle against restricted airflow, which can cause coil icing and reduced cooling capabilities. The added stress of operating under these conditions increases energy consumption by up to 15 percent and can ruin key components like the compressor. To avoid these issues, make it a habit to check the air filter once a month and change it whenever it looks dirty.
Ignoring Yearly Professional Maintenance
Your air conditioner needs regular preventive maintenance just like any other type of mechanical equipment. Having an HVAC technician inspect, clean and service the A/C on a yearly basis can help preserve its energy efficiency and keep it running reliably throughout the cooling season. During a routine maintenance visit, a professional can also find and correct emerging issues before they become serious, which can avert costly breakdowns and prolong its life.
To learn more things to avoid doing to your A/C, contact the central Arizona HVAC experts at Wolff Mechanical.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Phoenix Valley area of Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
