Your air conditioner is one of the most important appliances in your home during summer. While an HVAC contractor can help you keep your unit in top shape, there are other ways to extend the lifetime of your air conditioning unit without requiring repairs. A short list of do’s and dont’s will help you guard against mechanical failures. 

Do:

Change the air filters.

Depending on the system in your home, dirty air filters may need to be cleaned or replaced entirely. When the seasons change, check your filters and replace or clean them as needed. If you’re using them frequently — during summer, for instance — check them more often.

Install a smart thermostat.

Many homeowners are asking their HVAC contractors to install smart thermostats. These are devices you can either program or control via a mobile app. A smart thermostat lets you control exactly when the system will kick on and how long it will run. If you’re using a mobile app, you can control your home’s air conditioning from any location with Wi-Fi, which is handy if you forgot to turn off the air before leaving home.

Clean the condensate drain tube.

A clogged drain tube will result in leaking around the furnace while the AC unit runs. Clearing the clog in the drain tube will allow excess water to properly reach the drain pan and stop the leak from continuing. Checking the tube occasionally will help you avoid this situation.

Don’t:

Let debris accumulate around the compressor.

Your air conditioner’s compressor is the large component located just outside your home. When your unit requires repairs, it’s usually because of the compressor. However, damage to the compressor is usually preventable. Insects, twigs, dirt, and other foreign materials tend to make their way inside the small spaces in the compressor if left unattended, clogging up its interior. Keeping the area clear of debris will help you reduce the likelihood of damage.

Overburden your air conditioner.

In many cases, the unit will run too often as a result of an especially warm house. If your unit seems to run too frequently, try closing your curtains or blinds at midday. You might also try identifying areas where the cool air is leaking out of the house.

Forget to schedule preventative maintenance.

Have your HVAC contractor perform preventative maintenance at least once per year. This will help ensure your system is operating at peak efficiency. It will also provide an opportunity for the technician to identify problems sooner so they can be repaired before they snowball into bigger and costlier projects.

Pioneer Heating and Cooling offers HVAC installation and service to residents in the Evergreen, MT, area. This HVAC contractor can help you choose the options that best fit your budget while offering top-quality HVAC components for your home or office. Learn more about their services at their website, or call (406) 309-2397 to schedule maintenance for your air conditioner or heating unit.