Four Tips to Help Prolong the Life of Your AC Unit
by Jane Brown on Nov 21, 2016
When you walk in from a hot summer day, you expect to be hit with a rush of cool air. Your air conditioning unit is crucial to keeping your home comfortable during the warm months. On average, a central air conditioning unit will last about 10 to 15 years. To ensure that you get the most out of your unit, there are some things you can do yourself to help achieve optimal performance out of your system. To prolong the life of your air conditioning unit and ensure that your home remains comfortable, here are four things you can do at home:
Perform Preventative Maintenance
One of the best things you can do for any of your home appliances is to put it on a preventative maintenance plan. Hiring a professional to perform air conditioning services can help keep your system run more efficiently. Many companies will establish a plan for your system that allows them to come out and check on it periodically. During these maintenance runs, the HVAC technician will likely check for any potential problems in the unit. Taking care of these issues ahead of time can save you money and time having it repaired or even replaced later.
Clear Out Debris
Any plantation around your unit could be hindering its performance. If you have a lot of brush or limbs hanging around the unit, they can get caught up in it and clog the coils. Spring and fall are great times of the year to clean out the debris around the unit so you don’t run the risk of them affecting the performance of your air conditioning system. If you have any trees in the area, you want to trim any limbs that could potentially fall on the unit and cause damage.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
The more you run your AC unit, the quicker it will need replacing. Oftentimes, people will leave on the air conditioning system even when no one is home. There is no point to continue cooling your home when everyone has left the house. To save on electricity and help maintain the performance of your system, you should only be using it when you need it. To be able to control your air conditioning system when you are not home, you can install a programmable thermostat. This allows you to set it to turn on and off at certain times without you having to do anything. Additionally, you can also choose a thermostat that can be adjusted using an app on your smartphone. This means you could be halfway across the country and still able to adjust your unit.
Shut Off Humidifiers
Humidifiers have many benefits to using them in the home, but they can also require that your AC unit far longer than it should. When you continue to add moisture to your air, the air conditioning unit will continue to run trying to cool down the air. During times when you are running the AC, you want to make sure any humidifiers are turned off. If you do have to run a humidifier, make sure you buy one that has a summer mode you can set it on.
If you live in a part of the world where heat and humidity are seasonal or year-round, the functioning air conditioner is the difference between happiness and agony. Making sure your AC unit is protected from damage and kept maintained will increase the chances of it working when you need it most.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
94900 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
74292 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
71742 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
52733 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
30574 Views
Latest Articles
10 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget
A concrete patio can be a game-changer for your outdoor space. It is durable, versatile, and can be customized to fit your style. But what if you...
on Mar 25, 2025
Tips for Creating a Stunning Personalized Photo on Canvas
Order the unique beauty of a personalized photo on canvas and bring your memories to life. With a customized photo on canvas, you can transform...
on Mar 7, 2025
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
on Feb 18, 2025
Troubleshooting Excess Water in Your HVAC Secondary Condensate Drain Pan
When maintaining your air conditioning system, it is easy to overlook the condensate drain pan - until excess water starts pooling in places where...
on Jan 12, 2025
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginners Guide
By combining the advantages of stock market and real estate investing, Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, offer an alluring investment...
on Dec 19, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
on Feb 18, 2025
Real Estate / Finance

Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 264
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 203
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 148
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 113
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Clean Your Windows the Right Way: Cleaning Tips from a Window Replacement Company
Even windows that are deemed maintenance-free need some attention from time to time. If you have a window or two that's looking dull and drab, you...
Goodbye Sludge: Cleaning Your Heating Oil Tank
For many people, heating oil is their primary way of staying warm during winter. Whether it's a 275-gallon heating oil tank, plastic fuel storage...
Checklist – How to Find the Right Roofer
When it comes to roofers, you certainly have plenty of choices. So much so, that the process of deciding which one to work with can be nothing...
Recognize Garage Door Spring Problems when You See Them?
Problems differ and so are their consequences! Some might almost go unnoticed and some will shake our lives. Despite the fact that all garage door...
Stained Glass Lamps and How they Can Make Your House Look Better
There are different ways to make your house look inviting and attractive, and there are definitely so many types of accessories that will make your...