Air Conditioning Services That Can Extend The Lifespan Of Your AC Unit | Plano, TX
Maintaining the air conditioning system combines your efforts and a technician’s, especially regarding air conditioning service. How do you use your unit? How long do you leave it running? Does it match the load? All these are some things that may affect the efficiency of this critical system.
Consequently, they will have a direct bearing on its service life. Together with your air conditioning service technician, there’s a lot that you can do to ensure that your AC unit serves you for an extended period, maybe longer than the rated. Below are several things you could do to see your heating and air conditioning system serve your home for an extended period.
Cleaning the Outdoor AC Condenser Unit
Another way to help extend the life of your air conditioner is to clean the outdoor condenser unit regularly. This unit is located outside, usually on the side or back of your house. It’s also important to clear any debris blocking the airflow around the unit. This includes things like leaves, branches, and grass clippings. If the airflow is blocked, it can cause the unit to overheat and potentially break down. However, this doesn’t mean that you clean the condenser yourself. Rather, enlist a licensed air conditioning service provider for the task. A condenser is an electrical unit and could short-circuit you. DIY AC repairs or maintenance could have consequences like damaging the unit.
Installing a Smart Thermostat
Installing a smart thermostat is one of the best ways to extend the life of your air conditioner. Smart thermostats help regulate the temperature in your Plano, TX, home, preventing your air conditioner from working too hard and overheating. Additionally, smart thermostats can help you save money on your energy bill by reducing your energy usage.
Smart thermostats are easy to install and can be controlled from your phone or tablet. They can send notifications when the air conditioner has run into an issue that requires maintenance. Smart thermostats can also diagnose issues within the air conditioner through the self-diagnostic feature. Many smart thermostats also have features that allow you to set schedules and temperature limits.
This means that you can program your thermostat to turn off your air conditioner when you’re not at home or when the temperature reaches a certain level. You can also program it to send the diagnostics to an air conditioning service provider, meaning that the AC unit will have timely repairs and maintenance. Overall, installing a smart thermostat is a great way to extend the life of your air conditioner and save money on your energy bill.
Cleaning the Indoor Evaporator Coils
You can also extend the service life of your air conditioner by regularly cleaning the indoor evaporator coils. These coils can become clogged with dust and dirt over time, reducing the efficiency of your air conditioner and causing it to wear out more quickly. The evaporator coils use a coolant to remove the heat from the air. Hence, any dust or dirt covering them prevents them from absorbing the heat.
This will make the air conditioning unit strain to cool your home, exposing other elements to wear and tear. Thus, it is recommended that you have an air conditioning service provider clean the evaporator coils regularly to avert this. The technician will first turn off the power to your air conditioner to clean the indoor coils. Then, they’ll remove the coil cover and gently brush away any accumulated dust or dirt on the coils.
The air conditioning service provider can also use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove any build-up. Cleaning your air conditioner’s indoor evaporator coils will help it run more efficiently. If done regularly, your system will be efficient, meaning that various components won’t be straining, hence the extended service life of your unit.
Routine Maintenance
Routine maintenance is one of the most important things you can do to extend the life of your air conditioner. Schedule a professional air conditioning service once a year. This may involve a lot, from replacing or cleaning the air filters, inspecting the AC unit for leaks, refilling the refrigerant, insulating the ducts, and lubricating the mechanical parts, among many other things.
All these go towards making your unit can easily cool your home. Additionally, shielding any outdoor units, rodent proofing the ducts, and checking the condensate drain lines for any obstructions and removing them.
Cleaning the Air Ducts
Did you know you can extend the life of your air conditioning system by cleaning the air ducts? Dust and dirt can build up in the air ducts over time, reducing the air conditioner’s efficiency. Regularly cleaning the air ducts can help keep your air conditioner working at its best. Further, when the air conditioning service provider comes to clean the air ducts, they will notice any developing issues, such as pinholes or perforations on the air ducts. The professional will seal them using a duct sealant to ensure that air doesn’t escape.
When the air escapes from the ducts, the cooling efficiency of your unit is impacted. Hence, the air conditioner uses more time and energy to reach the thermostat’s set temperatures. It takes a toll on various components of the air conditioner, meaning it will need premature replacement. Cleaning the ducts and sealing any leaks eliminates that problem. Hence, a regular duct cleaning service and patching of the leaks help your unit serve your Plano, TX, home a little longer.
An air conditioner is an expensive appliance. Hence, you should take care of it to extend its service life. As you can see from the above, there are many things that you could do to ensure that your unit serves you for the longest time possible. If you need air conditioning service in Plano, TX, that extends the service life of your AC unit, contact us at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas today.