Air Conditioning Repair – 10 Things You Should Know

An air conditioner is necessary to keep your room cool and also ensure an adequate supply of fresh air inside your house. But this is true only if the unit is working well. A newly purchased air conditioner works perfectly, but due to wear and tear, its performance will slowly decline as time goes by, unless you get regular AC services. You need to regularly maintain your unit to ensure that it is always in perfect condition.

And talking of maintenance, below are the ten most Important things you should know about air conditioning repair.

1. Poorly Maintained Air Conditioners are a Health Hazard

A poorly maintained air conditioner is risky to your health and that of your loved ones. And how is that? If your air duct is dusty or has molds on it, it can lead to severe complications of your respiratory system and also trigger severe allergic reactions. The situation is much worse for those with an underlying condition like asthma. To avoid such, ensure that you keep the air duct clean at all times.

2. Poorly Maintained Air Conditioners Can Cause Fire

World over, there have been a significant number of reported cases of fires associated with air conditioners. These have led to severe injuries, deaths, and millions of dollars worth of property gone to ashes. After close investigation, the conclusion is that most of these fires are mechanical and; can be avoided if people are keen to maintain their air conditioners. Avoid unnecessary fires by adhering to simple measures such as;

* Inspecting your equipment regularly to detect problems
* Exercising safe use and installation of equipment as per the manufacturer’s guidelines
* Purchasing standard equipment that is safe to use in the first place

3. Clean Coils Matter

The coils are a thin set of metals responsible for cooling through condensation. Any dust particles on them can only slow down their ability. And since they require special skills to clean, it is always advisable that you rely on professional help.

4. Proper Maintenance Means High Efficiency

If your air conditioner is working correctly, it will consume much less energy than when it’s not, and that will translate to your electricity bills. Proper maintenance is a way to spend less now to save more in the long run and continue to keep your home cool.

5. Duct Leaks Are Unacceptable

Apart from the coils, ducts are another crucial part of your cooling system. Leaky ducts consume a lot of energy and will cost you a lot of money. You can use duct tape to cover the leaks or replace individual parts if the damage is severe.

6. Frozen Pipes Are Unacceptable

If your AC is frozen, your pipes will freeze too, and that will affect the performance of your air conditioner. If you notice such a problem, switch off your air conditioner to allow the ice to melt. After several hours, your unit should be working fine unless there is a bigger problem. In that case, you need to find professional help.

7. Clean Filters Are a Must

Filters trap all the dust particles entering your air conditioner from the surrounding environment. As time goes by, there is more and more dust, and that will affect the performance of your unit. To prevent that from happening, you need to replace your filter once it’s full.

8. Pests and Other Animals Can Mess with Your System

Pests and other small animals are always searching for a perfect place inside or outside our house surfaces to build their nests. The inside of an air conditioner is one of those areas they love the most, especially if it is an outdoor unit.

At first, these animals are harmless. However, as time goes by and more of them join in, they might damage your air conditioner. Carefully get rid of their nests to discourage them from living there.

9. Sometimes You Need to Do More than Repair

Although regular maintenance will extend the life of your unit, eventually, it will reach its end. At this point, repairing it will no longer do the trick, and replacement is the only solution. When that time comes, remember to take advantage of the modern improvements, especially if you were using the traditional air conditioners. For instance, you can use the EER (Energy Efficiency Rating) to find out the performance of a unit based on the climatic conditions. The specific units suitable for drier climates are different from those required for humid climates.

10. Timers Are Efficient

Most modern air conditioners come with an automatic timer to regulate the temperatures when you are at home and when you are not. The programmable timers are necessary to avoid unnecessary consumption of energy in your home. If your unit does not have a timer, you can always buy one at an affordable price in the market.

The Bottom Line

Your air conditioning should be a blessing. But it can also be a curse depending on your usage and maintenance practices.

Now you know the ten most important things you should know to get the most out of your air conditioning unit. Looking for more Signs That Your AC Might Need Some Repairs? Check out our blog for more information.