You might hear from some people that even using AC can be dangerous for your health and it’s true that it has some components that are bad for, but they are safe when you know how to use it. Filters are the usual problem and they need to be changed from time to time which many people don’t know how to do. The system isn’t complex, and everyone can learn how to change or even repair one.
If you don’t have time to do that, you can hire a professional but not only when you need something to be repaired. Repairs can cost a lot and you want to prevent that from happening so knowing a few things about your AC can save you a lot of money. With the right tools, you will be able to replace it or fix it if needed. Most of the issues are easily fixable.
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Professional Maintenance
There isn’t an exact time that your air conditioner or heater needs to be replaced because everything is down to how well you maintain it. That is why many people decide to have a professional doing regular inspections which can be every couple of months depending on the area and how much you use it. The goal is to find potential issues and prevent them from happening. It usually costs around $100 to $200 depending on a company.
You should expect an overall inspection, not only to change the filters. Things that are inspected include drainage lines, refrigerant, vents, belts and they should test the voltage. To ensure proper operation they should test the thermostat and inspect the blower. When the motor is using too much energy then it will probably fail soon and that’s the time for a replacement. Some filters should be changed every month if you use it a lot. Click here to read more.
Filter and Coils
When you don’t want to spend money on a professional, you could do some research and try to maintain your heater and AC yourself. To make it last longer, you only need to change the filter once a month. This doesn’t only help to keep it clean, but it also reduces a lot of load on your system. If it wasn’t clean, it would force the machine to work much harder which results in a higher bill and possible breaks. By changing it regularly, you will have a lower bill and an AC that lasts longer.
Debris can cause problems if there is a lot of them in fins and coils of the unit that is outside, so you need to check it from time to time, mostly after bad weather. Leaves usually pile up at that spot. The results are the same as for the filter. The unit will need to work harder if it isn’t clean which can damage the system. It can be cleaned with a broom and garden hose. Pressure washers are not recommended because they can harm the conditioner.
Environment around the Unit
If you have a larger home, then probably you also have a big AC and heater unit. Because it consists of two parts, one that is in the house and the outdoor unit, most of us forget about maintaining the unit that is outside. You won’t have this problem if you live in a building but when you have a backyard where it is placed, many things can interfere with it.
The first thing you need to do is to trim the grass around it. This is the most common problem and once the grass grows, it can be too late to make a change because it can grow all over the unit. If you have pets, make sure it is protected because they can damage it. A small fence around it will do the trick. You might also consider getting a smaller type because they are stronger now and will use less space.
Thermostat and other Factors
When you are not home for a long time, you should always adjust the thermostat. It would be best if you have a system that is connected with your phone so you can set it to a higher temperature when you are about to go home. This can lower the bill a lot if you schedule the temperature throughout the day.
The problem doesn’t have to be in the heater, you might have other insulation problems you don’t know about. Everything should be properly sealed if you don’t want to lose heat. When you are cleaning around, you can inspect your windows and check the attic. This is common for older houses that need some repairs. Even when you are going to maintain it on your own, you will spend some money on tools like wet/dry vacuum.
