Buying an air conditioner is a major expense, so you want yours to last as long as possible. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to extend the life expectancy of your air conditioner and get the most value out of it as possible. Here are some easy ways to help your air conditioner live a long life.
Use a Smart or Programmable Thermostat
One of the key ways to help your air conditioner last as long as possible is to use it less. However, you also don’t want your home to be uncomfortably hot in the summer. A smart or programmable thermostat can extend the life of your air conditioner, saving you money and keeping your home nice and comfortable.
The basic idea with these thermostats is that they will allow your home to get hotter when it’s unoccupied, saving you the expense of unnecessarily cooling your home. Your air conditioner will be used less, which means it will last longer. The thermostat will still keep your home cool when you’re home, so comfort isn’t a concern.
Regular Maintenance
You need to treat your air conditioner just like you do your car. This means making sure it has regular maintenance. Professional HVAC companies provide technicians who make sure your air conditioner receives the care it needs to last as long as possible.
A neglected air conditioner may last only 10 years. One that has received annual maintenance can last 15 to 25 years before needing replacement. Other benefits include fewer expensive repairs and higher energy-efficiency, which save you money on your monthly electricity bills.
TS Heat & Air of Bethany, OK, provides an air conditioning maintenance service. One of our technicians will make sure your system is operating correctly and won’t give you any problems during the summer.
Keep the Condenser Cool
The condenser is the large air conditioner component located in your backyard. It works best and lasts longer if it doesn’t get overheated. The hotter the condenser gets, the harder it has to work and the shorter it tends to last.
Your condenser may be in a location where it gets no protection from the sun. You can give it protection by planting trees and shrubbery near it to give it shade. This greenery can be used to protect any future condensers you have put in the same spot.
You need to be careful not to plant trees or bushes too close to the condenser, though. If they’re too close, branches and leaves can fall on it or get caught inside. Trees should be trimmed at least 5 feet away from the condenser and shrubbery kept at least 2 feet away.
Turn Your Humidifier Off in the Summer
If you have a whole-home humidifier, there’s no reason to have it operating in the summer. Your air conditioner works hard in the summer and doesn’t need the extra strain of a humidifier working against it. Turning the humidifier off will help your air conditioner last longer.
You should also turn off any portable humidifiers you may have as well. Humidifiers increase the humidity in your home while air conditioners cool your home in part by removing moisture from the air. If both of these things are happening at the same time, your air conditioner has to work harder and won’t last as long.
Change the Air Filter Regularly
If your system has a dirty air filter, it impedes the flow of air. Replacing the air filter will help your air conditioner last longer by getting sufficient airflow. It will also operate more efficiently and improve your home’s indoor air quality.
Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned
Dust, dirt and other debris inside your air ducts prevents air from flowing through them as it should. Your air conditioner has to work twice as hard to cool your home and will end up breaking sooner or later. Getting your ducts cleaned will improve the flow of air and improve your home’s indoor air quality.
Call the Professionals
TS Heat & Air has been providing heating and cooling services in the Bethany and Oklahoma City areas since 1983. We replace, repair and maintain gas furnaces, heat pumps and air conditioners. Our company sells and installs indoor air purification products, such as the PureAir Air Purification System and the Healthy Climate Germicidal Lights. We also work with contractors on new construction projects. Give us a call today for all of your heating and cooling needs.
