Emergency AC repair is costly and a massive inconvenience.
Plus, no one ever looks forward to completely replacing their HVAC system.
That’s why it’s essential to do everything you can to extend the life of the one you’ve already got.
Fortunately, you can keep an old system humming along by treating it with love and care. Here’s how.
12 Tips to Keep Your System Running Smoothly and Avoid Emergency AC Repair
Think about your car. You:
- Change the oil every 3,000 miles
- Wash it
- Replace the tires
- Avoid overworking the transmission
Many people don’t realize they need to treat their HVAC system the same way. Air conditioners are complicated pieces of equipment. They need special maintenance and treatment.
Plus, treating your HVAC system with respect can help you lower energy costs AND prevent emergency AC repair from breakdown.
At Home Comfort USA, we never want you to pay a penny more than you have to for AC installation or repairs. That’s why we put together this list to help you extend the life of your unit.
- Replace Your Filter Regularly
Replacing your air filter regularly is essential for a few reasons.
For one thing, it keeps the air inside your home healthy. The EPA estimates Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors where toxins and pollution are up to 5x higher than outdoors. Yikes.
However, replacing your air filter regularly also prevents dust, debris, and gunk from building up on other parts of your AC unit, such as the evaporator coils. Ideally, you’ll want to change your filter:
- Every 90 days for pet-free homes
- Every 60 days in homes with one pet or lots of dust
- Every 30 days in homes with two pets or family members with allergies or chronic health problems
High-quality filters are also necessary. Polyester or pleated filters are better at trapping dust and pollution than their fiberglass counterparts.
Dirty ductwork can reduce airflow inside your home and overwork your AC system. It’s important to have experts regularly clear your ductwork of debris, dust mites, and other gunk so your system can run smoothly.
- Stay On-Top of Preventative Maintenance
If you genuinely want to avoid costly emergency AC repair, it’s essential to follow a regular maintenance schedule.
At Home Comfort USA, we offer a 32-Point Tune-Up that covers all the basics like:
- Cleaning
- Air filter replacement
- Checking for faulty parts
- Inspecting drainage and electrical lines and so much more
- Repair Any Damaged Ductwork
Ductwork is often thin and damages easily. If there’s a leak, it can:
- Screw up airflow inside your home
- Overwork your HVAC system
- Draw toxic dust and debris into your air
It’s worthwhile to schedule a ductwork cleaning if you haven’t had one in a while. Your technician can inspect your ducts for any damage or leaks as well.
- Make Sure Vents Aren’t Blocked
Blocking vents with couches or bookshelves makes your air conditioner work harder to maintain the temperature set on your thermostat. Make sure all your vents have plenty of space to breathe and fill the room with cool air.
- Look for Leaks to Prevent Major AC Repair
Air conditioners have a few pieces of tubing for things like freon and drainage. If a hose cracks, loosens or breaks, this can damage other parts of your HVAC system. When things break, that puts you at risk for costly AC repair.
It’s essential to have an expert technician inspect all your drainage and freon lines at least once a year (or more often with consistent use).
- Keep the Outdoor Unit Free of Debris
Your outdoor unit is exposed to the elements year-round. It’s common for fans to get clogged with leaves, dirt, or insects and breakdown the entire system. Cut off the system’s power and clean out any leaves, dirt, debris, and gunk.
- Don’t Neglect Minor AC Repairs
If something isn’t working right, don’t neglect it. Fix it ASAP! Just like a vehicle, ignoring small problems always leads to bigger problems down the road.
Keep an eye out for things like:
- Funky smells like dirty socks, mildew, burning, etc.
- Reduced airflow
- Hot or warm air when it should be cold
- Any unusual noises
- Give It a Break to Avoid AC Repair
No matter how many measures you take to protect your AC system, it can still overheat. It’s a powerful piece of machinery, after all.
On cool summer days or nights, try to use a fan instead so your AC unit gets a break. Shutting it off for at least 12 hours once a week or so should suffice. (Strive for more if you can.)
- Make Sure Your Humidifier is Off
Here’s the problem with humidifiers. They’re great for keeping your home comfortable in the winter. However, people often forget to turn them off during the summer months.
That’s a problem because running your AC unit AND humidifier at the same time puts a ton of stress on your HVAC system. Hot air is naturally dry and needs the humidity. However, cool air from your AC unit is already humid, and your AC system functions as a natural dehumidifier.
Always switch your humidifier to “summer” when you’re using the air conditioning, so it doesn’t overwork your system.
- Try Not to Overwork Your HVAC System
Anything that makes your house warmer will overwork your AC unit as it tries to pull the temperature down. Such as:
- Using the oven
- Drying clothes
- Keeping the blinds open
- Keep the Coils Clean to Avoid Major AC Repair
If you forget to replace your filter, debris, bacteria, dirt, and gunk, all accumulate on your evaporator coils. Sure, you can have an expert clean them. Wait too long, however, and a costly replacement might be the only choice.
Schedule a Tune-Up to Avoid Costly Emergency AC Repair Today!
Did this list get you thinking it’s time for a tune-up? Our expert technicians at Home Comfort USA have all the knowledge and tools to check for faulty parts, clean your coils, and prevent emergency AC repair. If your unit has run its course and you’re ready for a fresh AC installation, we can help you select the perfect system for your home at the right price point.
Schedule a 32-Point Tune-Up today to prevent emergency breakdowns and keep energy costs low! Call now at 888-462-0089.
