6 AC Maintenance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When you live in a hot and humid climate such as the one in Denham Springs, LA, you quickly become friends with your home’s trusty air conditioning system. Thanks to its wonderful cooling functions, the AC unit can offer a much-needed reprieve from the hot weather outside. However, to enjoy the full benefits of your AC, it is important to maintain it. Many people are aware of this necessity but still commit mistakes that lead to the unit’s shortened lifespan. As the top home AC repair techs, we will share some of the top mistakes you should avoid when caring for your AC.
What You Should NOT Do For Your AC
It goes without saying that air conditioning maintenance is extremely important. Without a properly maintained AC, your summer can easily turn for the worse. Regular maintenance provides the following, essential benefits:
- Increased energy efficiency
- Consistently cooling temperatures throughout the house
- Enhanced indoor air quality
- Prolonged lifespan of the AC unit
- Decreased need for AC unit repair
Clearly, you don’t want to miss out on these benefits. Below will share pointers on how you can ensure you’re doing everything you can to maximize the use of your AC.
Do Not Skip Regular Filter Changes
As home air conditioning repair techs, we cannot stress enough the importance of changing the AC filters regularly. The purpose of air filters is to catch any debris and dust in the air before it releases into the home. This ensures that your home has clean, breathable air.
As the filters work to perform this essential task, the accumulation of dust and debris forms in a thick film that must be cleaned periodically. Most AC experts recommend checking and changing the air filters every 4-6 weeks. Since the AC gets a lot of use during the summer months, we recommend checking them every 4 weeks and changing them as needed. This will keep the air flowing smoothly and will maintain a higher efficiency level.
Do Not Ignore Thermostat Settings
Some people choose to set their thermostat settings and go on with life, completely ignoring them throughout the summer season. We recommend giving those settings a bit more thought, especially if the outside temperatures fluctuate from high to low throughout the week.
The recommended thermostat temperature is 78 degrees, which will keep your home comfortable. However, sometimes people find themselves a little hot with that temperature. If you need to decrease the thermostat, do your best to stay within a 10-degree range from the outdoor temperatures. Doing so will prevent excess strain on the unit and will help you preserve its lifespan.
Do Not Skip Those Maintenance Services
As we stated above, regular maintenance ensures a variety of benefits that you simply cannot afford to miss. We recommend that you schedule your AC maintenance service at least once a year, before the hottest time of the summer season. This will ensure enhanced comfort for you and your household while keeping the unit in optimal condition. The many benefits of AC maintenance are accomplished with the following tasks performed by home air conditioning repair techs:
- Check and change air filters
- Check and clean the condensation pan
- Clean and lubricate all moving parts
- Check all parts for any adjustments or repairs
- Inspect and clean ductwork if needed
Do Not Close Vents
People mistakenly believe that closing the vents in unused rooms will help them conserve energy and redirect the air to other rooms. However, doing so puts a strain on the AC as it throws off the balance of airflow throughout the house. We recommend keeping all vents open and using fans to distribute the home air better.
Do Not Neglect Your Ductwork
Ductwork also plays an incredibly vital role in the function of your AC. Over time, it accumulates a large collection of dust and debris, which must be cleared out to ensure optimal indoor air quality and good airflow. Sometimes ductwork also develops cracks in its structure, which must be repaired to prevent air leaks. Thus, it is recommended that ductwork be checked at least once per year to ensure it is clean and free of large gaps.
Do Not Overwork the Unit
Lastly, home AC repairs often revolve around the unit being overworked. It is very tempting to keep it working all hours of the day when it is hot outside, but it is necessary for it to get a periodic break. Try turning it off every 8-10 hours, which will ensure that its many parts won’t wear out early. This will prevent excessive repairs and help you keep your current AC unit longer.
Contact Us for Top Home AC Repair
Is your AC in need of a repair or maintenance service? Contact us today for a professional and seamless resolution of your AC challenges. Our team is just one phone call away.
