Making Your Air Conditioner Last Longer
- Date: 2007-03-01 - Word Count: 538
Share This!
Air conditioners are not cheap. You definitely do not want to be buying a new one every year or so. A bit of preventive work can make them last.
One of the biggest problems with most air conditioning units made today is that they are tough, and well built. This may not seem like much of a problem, but what happens is that most home owners become very complacent about their air conditioners. They continue to run and run year after year, and many people tend to worry little about them as long as the air is cool and comfortable. The truth is that without routine maintenance, a normal air conditioning unit loses about 5% of its efficiency each year. This means that within a short time your powerful SEER 13 unit is working more like an older SEER 8.
A good air conditioner can last 15 years, or even longer, with just routine maintenance. It will also operate at its rated capacity for most of that period. Much of the maintenance that is required to keep your unit up to snuff is inexpensive and easy to perform. The first step is to make routine inspections of your unit to discover any potential problems. The best time to perform any air conditioner maintenance is a little bit before it is needed. Check all hoses for leaks and make sure the condensate tube is draining freely.
Filters are critical to the proper and economical operation of the air conditioning unit. They should be inspected often and changed or cleaned monthly. This is even more important during the summer months when there is a higher level of dust and pollutants in the air, and, of course, the units are running more frequently. Other methods of insuring maximum air flow through the system include cleaning and vacuuming of the registers and air vents. You should also insure that furniture and drapes are not blocking registers.
The outside compressor should be cleaned with a hose. Plantings should be kept at least a foot away, and grass and weeds should be trimmed to insure adequate air flow around the unit. Remove any debris from the fan area. During the winter months, the compressor should be covered. It is also a good idea to remove any window air conditioners during the winter, and store them until they are again needed. A yearly tune up of your air conditioner by a certified technician can cost between $50 and $100, but can result in as much as a 5% reduction in yearly operating cost.
You can also increase the life of your air conditioner by finding ways to not have to use it. Programmable thermostats can regulate temperature to decrease use at night or when the house is vacant. Simple things like ceiling fans or attic ventilation fans can reduce the demand on the air conditioner. Even planting trees to increase shade or using drapes over windows facing the sun can help. Reduction of use combined with proper maintenance can increase the life span of any air conditioner. One important safety consideration is to make sure that all power is turned off to the air conditioner before performing any maintenance.
Quinton Williams is with AirConditioningRepairCompanies.com - your resource for air conditioning information.
One of the biggest problems with most air conditioning units made today is that they are tough, and well built. This may not seem like much of a problem, but what happens is that most home owners become very complacent about their air conditioners. They continue to run and run year after year, and many people tend to worry little about them as long as the air is cool and comfortable. The truth is that without routine maintenance, a normal air conditioning unit loses about 5% of its efficiency each year. This means that within a short time your powerful SEER 13 unit is working more like an older SEER 8.
A good air conditioner can last 15 years, or even longer, with just routine maintenance. It will also operate at its rated capacity for most of that period. Much of the maintenance that is required to keep your unit up to snuff is inexpensive and easy to perform. The first step is to make routine inspections of your unit to discover any potential problems. The best time to perform any air conditioner maintenance is a little bit before it is needed. Check all hoses for leaks and make sure the condensate tube is draining freely.
Filters are critical to the proper and economical operation of the air conditioning unit. They should be inspected often and changed or cleaned monthly. This is even more important during the summer months when there is a higher level of dust and pollutants in the air, and, of course, the units are running more frequently. Other methods of insuring maximum air flow through the system include cleaning and vacuuming of the registers and air vents. You should also insure that furniture and drapes are not blocking registers.
The outside compressor should be cleaned with a hose. Plantings should be kept at least a foot away, and grass and weeds should be trimmed to insure adequate air flow around the unit. Remove any debris from the fan area. During the winter months, the compressor should be covered. It is also a good idea to remove any window air conditioners during the winter, and store them until they are again needed. A yearly tune up of your air conditioner by a certified technician can cost between $50 and $100, but can result in as much as a 5% reduction in yearly operating cost.
You can also increase the life of your air conditioner by finding ways to not have to use it. Programmable thermostats can regulate temperature to decrease use at night or when the house is vacant. Simple things like ceiling fans or attic ventilation fans can reduce the demand on the air conditioner. Even planting trees to increase shade or using drapes over windows facing the sun can help. Reduction of use combined with proper maintenance can increase the life span of any air conditioner. One important safety consideration is to make sure that all power is turned off to the air conditioner before performing any maintenance.
Quinton Williams is with AirConditioningRepairCompanies.com - your resource for air conditioning information.
Related Tags: maintenance, home, cool, air, conditioning, temperature, filter, cooling, thermostat, conditioner
Quinton Williams is with AirConditioningRepairCompanies.com - your resource for air conditioning information. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Important Things to Know About an Assisted Living Residence in Texas
n assisted living residence is a facility designed for senior citizens or persons with disabilities - Understanding How the Probate Process Works
The probate process is required within the U.S. to settle estates of deceased persons. The time requ - Fun Ideas for the Family During the Christmas Holiday
The Yuletide season is one of the most awaited holidays of the year because it is the time for joy a - How To Find The Right Composite Decking Deck Builders
Another rising home improvement project homeowners are starting to do a lot more of is the composite - Every Home Should Have A Radiant Barrier
The most easy and successful home improvement project you can do to your House, would be to install - The Different Types Of Rain Gutters
When purchasing a house or planning to do improvements to a home, there is always one project that s - How To Get The Best Replacement Windows For Your Home
Installing replacement windows can be the single most important home improvement project you can do - Holiday Accommodation Gold Coast: Pointers For Selecting The Best
With a multitude of holiday accommodations in Gold Coast, choosing the one for yourself can be quite - Want Holiday Accommodation In Gold Coast Queensland? Get Online To Find The Best Deal In A Quick, Co
There are several ways to find holiday accommodation in Gold Coast. You may refer to travel guides t - Celebrate The Ten-days Festival Of Navratri.
Dasara known as Dussehra, Navaratri, Vijaya Dashami is a festival of triumph of GOOD over Evil. The
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Adoptees Need Support When Voicing Feelings about Birth Parents
"I feel like a mistake.""I'm not like them.""Where's my family?""Why can't I find a suitable career? - Progressive Cooking: All About 'cuisine'
The French are known for their interest in art and all that is fine. It therefore comes as no surpri - Moroccan Decor - Oh My! Make Your Home Shine With Moroccan Rugs and Tapestries.
It is said in Morocco that he who enters Fez with a rug will leave with a moneybag. This saying o - Online Criminal Background Checks-Importance & Ease
Have you ever thought your new neighbor looks like one of the pictures on the post office bulletin b - Installing A Burglar Alarm
Want to protect your home? Ready to install a burglar alarm? The popularity of the home burglar ala - Lowe's Backyard Playground Sets
Lowe's is an excellent first place to look for anyone who is looking for the best swing sets on the - How Could Short Term Health Insurance Help Me?
Short-term health insurance plans allow people to have health insurance for a limited amount of time - Watch Out For Those Stinky Skunks!
There are various species of skunks found throughout the United States including the striped, spotte - Asthma In Kids: An Increasing Epidemic
Many believe that the majority of asthma cases are confined to adults, but this is definitely an inc - Stairlifts For Riders Of Above Average Weight
A stairlift is an affordable device that is used to give people with limited mobility access to the