Tips On Maximizing The Lifespan Of Your Air Conditioner

On average, an air conditioner remains useful for a span of 15 to 20 years, but with proper maintenance, it could go for as long as 30 years. Look, replacing an AC entirely is very costly and maybe a huge hit on your wallet. But did you know that you can avoid replacing your AC earlier that you need to? Just follow these tips to lengthen the lifespan of your AC.

Schedule regular preventative maintenance – Like your car, your HVAC system requires regular maintenance for it to operate at optimum efficiency, which in turn maximizes your AC’s lifespan. As a car owner, you would never skip an oil change as you are well aware of the repercussions, if the oil runs low or stops providing the lubrication your car needs to operate. In much the same way, when you ignore key preventative maintenance on your AC system, you are bound to have a system blockage at one point. What happens is that when it gets to this point, your system tends to work harder to provide the same results, making it wear out faster. So, you need to take good care of your system the way it does for you.

Ensure that you buy the right AC sizing – Did you know that the size of the AC unit you choose to buy actually determines its lifespan? See, a 2800 square foot house does not use the same AC as an 1100 square foot house. In most cases, you will find larger houses using two units installed in different sections of the house. Your AC contractor should be able to inform you about the size you need, but always ensure that you do your due diligence. This is because there are contractors who would do everything to win your business, even if that means undercutting the sizing you would need just to give you a lower bid. Anyway, with the right AC unit comes optimum efficiency, which translates to longer useful life.

Use smart thermostat – In the past, there are these thermostats that were being used, which once you set it, that was it – you just forgot about it. But like we said, it was in the past, it may have been fine back then, but not today. Technological advancements have made it easier for homeowners to use their units only when they need them. Rather than having your AC running throughout the day, even when you are not there, smart thermostats – relying on GPS technology – are able to sense when you are coming home and they will be able to trigger you AC and turn it on. So, the fact that your system is not running throughout makes it last longer, as opposed to one that runs non-stop.

Replace your air filters – Your air filters play a critical role in ensuring that there is nothing that blocks your ducting and that there is proper airflow. The same way it enhances the efficiency of your system is the same way it can inhibit its performance overall if it’s not maintained properly. So, if you notice that the air coming out of the registers has slowed down and it’s not as strong as it used to be, then you need to check your air filters, as that’s where the problem might be. If the problem is not taken care of soon enough, it overworks the system, making it wear out faster than it should.

Add on dehumidifiers – AC units pretty much functions like dehumidifiers. See, the way an AC operates, it doesn’t blow cold air into a room, but rather removes heat from it. It sucks the hot air and transfers it outside. The hot air is passed through cold coils where the moisture left in the air is turned to liquid as it exits your house – this is why you usually see windows dripping on the outside. To minimize the stress on your AC, why not install a house dehumidifier or just an air purifier. It is cheaper to run and can be used to run during moderate temperatures when it not necessary to run the AC. This makes it lasts a little longer and also minimizes your energy bills in the process.

Reduce heat loss – Yes, we are talking about air conditioning, and yes, we are also talking about heat loss here! Basically, heat loss is a term that is used when referring to how well you have insulated your home. There are things such as poor attic insulation and door and window gaps that lead to significant loss of heat in your home. The thing is, the more the controlled temperature escapes from your home through these spaces, the more the need for your AC to work to maintain the temperature. You need to have these spaces sealed, or install dual pane windows to keep as much controlled temperature as possible. This ensures that AC doesn’t overwork, which guarantees a longer lifespan.