Most central AC units only last about 12 to 15 years before they need to be replaced, but at an average cost of $2,500 to $4,000 or more to pay for a new central AC you might want to try taking a few steps to keep your AC in service for as long as possible.
First, take the time out right now (before it gets really hot) to test your ac unit and make sure it’s running correctly. If something is not working correctly you may want to look into some of these air conditioner trouble shooting tips before calling in a repairman. Here are are a few things you can do to keep your central air conditioner unit in decent working condition:
Make Sure Your Air conditioner Unit is Clean: The big fan housing part of your air conditioner unit outside your house is called the condenser and it’s what actually cools a Freon liquid in the coils of your air conditioner. You need to keep the condenser unblocked and make sure there is nothing blocking the airflow. Things like leaves, bushes and even kids toys can all damage an air conditioner unit if left against the condenser. Make sure you aren’t throwing anything against it when you cut your grass.
Shade Your Air Conditioner Unit: Putting your AC unit in the shade may reduce how hard it has to run and some estimates place the energy savings around nearly 10%! A US Department of Energy report suggests planting tall bushes or some sort of shade structure around your central air conditioner unit so that it doesn’t have to run as hard to stay cool. Some high-end and commercial AC units actually have sensors in them that can adjust to warmer temperatures.
Check your AC Frequently: Giving your AC a quarterly “check up” will really help keep it working. First, you’ll need to change your home air filter every three to six months. These filters can get blocked with dirt and cut back on the amount of cold air you’re getting in your home. A severely blocked filter can actually break an air conditioner unit and require it to be fixed.
Normal maintenance all year around will help you stay cool for longer and with less AC breakdowns on those days when the temperature gets over 90 degrees! I hope this helps you save some money and helps your air conditioner unit keep cool this summer!
Here are tips I personally use for my central air conditioner:
Don’t use or buy more cooling capacity than you actually need. Select an air conditioning unit with the lowest suitable capacity and highest efficiency. An oversized air conditioner can leave rooms cold and clammy because it does not run long enough to dehumidify the air.
Clean the equipment at least once per year and regularly check to make sure leaves, grass and other debris are not creating blockage.
Changing your air filter regularly is a simple, inexpensive way to keep your air conditioning unit running at peak efficiency.
Clean indoor coil. dirty indoor coil can be unhealthy, wastes energy and cuts the capacity of the cooling equipment. The coil should be cleaned every two to three years