During the summertime in Tucson, you are probably heavily relying on your air conditioner to help you stay cool and comfortable at home. With temperatures outside regularly in the triple digits, you won’t want to find yourself waiting on air conditioning service with a cooling system in need of repairs. Fortunately, there are ways you can prolong the life of your cooling and heating system so that you’re less likely to find yourself needing emergency repairs during the next heatwave. Avoid these bad habits that can shorten the life of your system.
1. Not Changing Your Filter
When was the last time you changed your AC filter? Has it been weeks? Months? Years? It can be easy to forget about this simple maintenance task, but you should make it a priority. As your system runs, dust, pet hair, and other contaminants collect in the filter. Over time, these particles can clog up the filter and limit airflow through your vents. This puts added strain on the entire system and reduces your indoor air quality. Air filters should be swapped out every 1-3 months depending on the type of filter, how often you’re running your air conditioner, and whether you have pets at home.
2. Neglecting Landscape Maintenance
Another way to clog up your cooling and heating system is by neglecting landscape maintenance around your outdoor unit. There should be at least one foot of clear space on all sides of the unit. Overgrown weeds, bushes, and trees can block proper ventilation and reduce airflow.
3. Overloading Your System
It’s a common misconception that turning off your air conditioner when you’re not home will save you money on your energy bill. However, when your system has to run for several hours to get your home back to a comfortable temperature, it will have to work much harder than it does to maintain a consistent temperature—and use much more energy in the process. Instead of shutting off your system entirely while you’re at work or on short vacations, simply adjust the thermostat by a few degrees to reduce overall energy usage without risking additional strain on your system when you return home.
4. Not Scheduling Routine Service
Routine heating and air conditioning service is a must for keeping your system in working order and reducing the risk of a sudden breakdown. During routine service, your technician will check all system components for wear and tear, replace any parts that are at the end of their usable life, and clean and lubricate the system to keep it running smoothly. Annual service is ideal to keep your system working properly.
5. Selecting the Wrong Size System for Your Home
When you install a new air conditioner, you might think that a larger unit will be the most effective. However, it is essential to choose a system that is appropriately sized for your home. If it is too large, it will cool the home more quickly, but this will cause short cycling, which will put more wear and tear on the system and cause it to break down sooner.
At B & J Refrigeration, we believe that everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their homes. That’s why we provide reliable air conditioning service, repairs, and installations throughout Southern Arizona. We are on call 24/7, so contact us today!