During the summer season, you depend on your HVAC system to provide cool air to your home. The last thing you need is for your air conditioner to fail or break down on a particularly hot day, which is why it’s important that you know how to properly care for your unit. Prevent the need for AC installations or repairs by avoiding the following bad habits.

Protect Your AC By Avoiding These Bad Habits

1. Failure to Change the Filter

Air conditioning filters quickly become saturated with dirt, dust, and debris, which is why they need to be changed once every three months, especially in the summer. When you forget to swap out the filter, your unit will overwork to cool your home, making breakdowns more likely. 

2. Adjusting the Temperature Too Often

If you adjust your thermostat too often, your air conditioner will struggle to reach cooler temperatures. This is particularly true when temperature settings differ by more than about 5 to 10 degrees. Keep your thermostat settings consistent, and try not to raise or lower it by more than a couple degrees. 

3. Forgetting the Energy Audit

Energy audits are important because they include an assessment of whether your air conditioner is the appropriate size for your home. If your unit is too small, the unit will have to work too hard, which may result in the need for a new AC installation.  

4. Not Scheduling Maintenance 

Routine maintenance prior to the warm season is crucial for maintaining the proper function and longevity of your air conditioner. When you don’t schedule maintenance, your unit will be more likely to develop problems as the result of faulty wiring, frozen evaporator coils, or external obstructions. 

Keep your cooling system in excellent shape throughout the summer with maintenance from Empire Heating & Air Conditioning. For over 50 years, this HVAC contractor has provided AC installations, furnace repairs, and plumbing services to Monroe County, NY, clients. Call (585) 325-6768 to book an appointment for an AC installation or maintenance, and visit them online to learn more about their work on chimneys and drains.