During the summer months, air conditioning can account for up to 50% of your energy bill. To reduce this cost and ensure that your AC unit is working properly, it’s important to maintain your air conditioner regularly. By following some simple steps, you can save money and energy while keeping your home comfortable during hot weather. Emergency ac repair services are also available to help with any unexpected breakdowns or problems.
1) Change the Air Filter Regularly
The first step in maintaining an AC unit is changing the filter regularly – typically at least once every three months. This should be done even if you don’t see much buildup on the filter as dirt and dust can easily become lodged inside. Replacing the air filter helps keep allergens away from your living space while improving airflow and ensuring that your system runs efficiently without working harder than necessary.
2) Clear Away Debris From Around the Unit
It’s also important to clear away debris such as leaves, branches, and other items from around the outdoor part of your AC unit so that it has plenty of space to breathe without obstruction. Not only will this help improve efficiency but it will also prevent damage from occurring due to animals or pests getting too close.
3) Clean Vents & Check For Leaks
Indoor vents should be cleaned regularly as well and checked for any signs of mold or mildew buildup which could lead to health issues over time. It’s also important to inspect all parts of the system for leaks that could cause water damage or worse if left unaddressed for too long.
4) Have Professional Inspections Performed Every Year
While taking these steps yourself is a good idea, it’s still recommended that you have a professional inspection performed at least once per year by an HVAC technician who specializes in emergency ac repairs. These inspections include checking refrigerant levels, inspecting electrical components, testing thermostat accuracy, lubricating moving parts when necessary, and more – all of which can help extend the life of your system while ensuring optimal performance throughout its lifespan.
5) Turn Off The System When Not In Use
Lastly, make sure you turn off the system when not in use as this will save both energy and money by preventing unnecessary wear-and-tear on vital components such as motors and compressors while reducing overall usage costs over time. You may find setting a timer helpful here to ensure that it turns off automatically each night before bedtime or whenever else desired throughout each day/weekend/etc.
Properly maintaining an AC unit takes some effort but is worth it in terms of both energy savings and improved comfort levels at home during hot weather conditions outside. Taking care of basic cleaning tasks yourself along with annual inspections by a qualified technician will ensure that everything remains running smoothly – no matter how high temperatures rise!