How to help your AC last longer
What would life be like without AC? Most of us don't have to think about this question so we don't realize that AC is a truly wonderful invention. Not that long ago people had to deal with brutally hot summers and they were basically uncomfortable all summer long. They would try to find other ways to deal with the heat, like sleeping in particular parts of the house, but this only helped so much. Frankly it was a difficult thing for them to deal with and we are very privileged to have air conditioning to make our lives that much more comfortable during the really hot times of the year. If you have ever had to spend some time in a hot climate without AC you know that every instant is like torture. However, AC is hardly cheap, and we all know how much we rely on it. We know that when we purchase a brand new AC unit and pay good money for it that we would like it to last for as long as possible. But is there anything you can do to prolong the life of your AC unit? Most people assume that you just buy an appliance and then plug it in. You don't have to do anything with it as long as it is running, right? Wrong. The fact is that a little upkeep can make a huge difference in the life of an appliance, and AC units are no different. So how can you make your AC unit last longer?
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A really quality AC unit could last as long as fifteen years. Most units are built to last if they are quality, but they tend to loose efficiency very quickly if they are not maintained. For example, even a good air conditioner will loose five percent of its running efficiency per year if it is not maintained! This means that in four years you have lost twenty percent of the efficiency and are spending quite a bit more on energy to keep your house the same temperature. In fifteen years you will have almost lost all of the running efficiency of your AC unit.
Shortly before you will need to turn the unit on, check to see if there are any obvious problems with it. Look at all the hoses and be sure to see if the condensation tube is draining well. Filters are a very important part of an AC unit. You need to clean them or replace them every month when the unit is in use. You can also check to see if anything is blocking the air vents or registers. You also need to make sure that the air intake is completely free of any obstruction. Don't plant anything too close to it (maybe about a foot away at the most). In the winters you should cover the AC compressor and remove wall units.
Routing maintenance from an expert is a good idea although a bit expensive. One other way to help prolong the life of the unit is to try to use it sparingly. Install ceiling fans or plant trees to create new shade around your home. You can also program the unit to only turn on at certain times. The fact is that the more you use the unit the shorter its life span.
AC units are an important part of modern life and something that you should be concerned about. You will be very glad to get your first AC unit and will want to take care of it. Good luck keeping that summer air cool!
