6 Common AC Maintenance Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Neglecting your AC can lead you to big problems. Here’s how to avoid getting into trouble!

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An air conditioner (AC) can take the heat and humidity out of your home and replace it with refreshing cool air. While your AC can function well without requiring continuous service, neglecting it for too long can affect its performance.

Regular and proper AC maintenance will ensure the unit works at peak performance without continuous breakdowns. This can also help keep the electricity bills low and give you peace of mind. 

Below are some mistakes you should avoid making when carrying out your AC maintenance:

Ignoring Strange Noises

Each AC system makes a distinct noise when it’s operating. But strange noises coming from the system are a reason for concern and shouldn’t be ignored. They signify the presence of a critical issue that needs immediate attention. 

For instance, a buzzing sound from the system means that there are broken parts. Or it could be that the refrigerant is leaking. It can also mean that the unit’s electrical voltage is faulty. Meanwhile, a high-pitched squealing sound indicates that the belt that connects the motor to the blower is loose or has come off. 

Instead of ignoring these noises, confront them immediately by getting your AC technician to have a look to avert system malfunction or total breakdown.

Neglecting Professional Tune-Ups

An AC system goes through wear and tear and needs regular tune-ups to keep it at its top performance. Hence, it’s best to seek help from professionals with experience and knowledge to assess and fix AC issues. 

On the other hand, handling surface problems in your AC system is good and can even save you on costs. But believing those fixes are enough to keep your unit in overall good condition is a misconception.

Fixing your AC on your own will expose it to faster wear and tear. In addition, it’ll be prone to breakdowns, and its lifespan will be shortened. Meanwhile, professional tune-ups ensure that the system is clean and efficient. They also help minor problems to be nipped at the bud before they blossom into full-blown issues. 

Forgetting To Clean The Air Vents 

Having dusty air vents full of debris defeats the purpose of an air conditioner. Air vents collect debris, dust, pollen, and other pollutants over time. If not properly cleaned, the air conditioner will carry these things along the way when turned on. The condition of the air vents will partly determine the air quality that will circulate in your home.

Setting Very Low Temperatures

Contrary to popular belief, setting your thermostat at very low temperatures won’t cool your home faster on a hot day. Your space will cool down at the same rate regardless of the thermostat’s setting. Running your AC on a very low setting for a long time will only stress, overwork, and shorten the life of your system. 

And in case you forget to reset the temperature back to normal, the system will keep operating at low temperatures, leading to high power bills.

Using An Outdated AC

Regardless of how well you service and maintain your AC, you’ll eventually have to replace it. AC systems usually have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. An old AC will keep having recurring problems and run less efficiently. 

The cost of replacing your AC might seem high, but it’ll be more cost-effective in the long run compared with frequent repairs. Moreover, the spare parts of older ACs become unavailable with time when new models are introduced on the market. 

If your AC is old and has one issue after another, consider replacing it as soon as possible. Trying to fix it at this stage is a battle you’ll never win. Also, it can break down in extreme weather conditions. In addition, old ACs tend to impact negatively on power bills. 

Neglecting The Air Filters

An AC’s air filters are responsible for filtering off impurities from the air that circulate through the system and into your home. It works by trapping dust and other contaminants and preventing them from being transported into your home. Therefore, it’s necessary to clean your air filters.

Over time, the filters can get clogged with impurities. Neglecting to replace or clean your AC’s air filters regularly can be detrimental to health because of compromised air quality in your home. 

Conclusion

Dirty and un-serviced ACs can’t perform at their peak. They compromise the quality of the indoor air flow because they’re also less effective at filtering off dust, mold, and bacteria from the air. Therefore, regular AC maintenance is required to keep them in top shape. Furthermore, proper care should be taken to avoid the mistakes many people make.