3 Ways To Keep Your Central AC Working
Most central AC units only last about 12 to 15 years before they need to be replaced, but at an average cost of $2,000 to $4,000 or more to pay for a replacement central AC you might want to try taking a few steps to keep your air conditioner in service for as long as possible.
First, take the time out right now (before summer) to test your ac unit and make sure it’s functioning correctly. If something is not working correctly you may want to look into some easy air conditioner troubleshooting methods before calling in a repairman. Here are are a few steps you can take to keep your central AC unit in good running order:
Make Sure Your AC Unit is Clean: The big fan housing part of your AC unit outside your home is called the condenser and it’s what actually cools a Freon liquid in the coils of your air conditioner. You need to keep the condenser unblocked and make sure there is nothing blocking the airflow. Things like grass, bushes and even kids toys can all damage an air conditioner unit if left against the condenser. Make sure you aren’t blowing anything against it when you cut your lawn.
Cool Off Your Air Conditioner: Putting your AC unit in the shade will reduce how hard it has to run and some estimates place the energy savings at nearly 10%! A US Department of Energy report suggests placing trees or some sort of shade structure around your central air conditioner unit so that it doesn’t have to run as hard to stay cool. High-end and commercial AC units actually have sensors in them that can adjust to hotter temperatures.
Run your AC Often For Testing Purposes: Giving your air conditioner a quarterly “check up” will really help keep it working. First, you’ll need to change your home air filter every three to six months. These filters can get blocked with dust and cut back on the amount of cold air you’re getting in your house. A severely blocked filter can actually break an AC unit and require it to be replaced.
Normal air conditioner vigilance all year around will help you stay cool for longer and with less air conditioner breakdowns on those days when the temperature reminds you that it’s summer! Use common sense and take a few minutes here and there to make sure your air conditioner is working well and you’re sure to have a cool and happy summer.