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6 Simple Ways to Extend the Life of Your Air Conditioner
In Denver, making sure your air conditioner runs smoothly is important for this season as well as for summers to come. Proper maintenance is the key to ensuring your system’s efficiency and performance. With a little effort and regular service, your air conditioner can last up to 15 years. Follow these simple steps to prevent breakdowns and keep the life in your air conditioner as long as possible.
Change or clean your AC filter on a regular basis
A clean air filter is vital to your air conditioner’s performance, efficiency and longevity, and is one of the simplest and least expensive ways to keep your air conditioner in great shape. Air filters should be changed or cleaned regular, typically every 1 to 3 months depending on your specific conditions. (Consult your manufacturer’s recommendations.)
Keep supply and return air vents unobstructed
Make sure furniture or other objects are not covering or blocking the vents and preventing the free flow of air. Also avoid closing vents, even in unused rooms. This can actually put more pressure on your air conditioner, and use more energy.
Make sure the indoor AC is not blocked.
Don’t use the area around your AC unit for storage. Miscellaneous items can block the condenser and prevent it from drawing in the air it requires to function properly.
Keep the outside unit clear of leaves, branches and other debris.
Leaves and other debris can interfere with the operation of your air conditioner, clog the coils and shorten the life of your equipment. Maintain at least 12 to 18 inches of clear space around the unit.
Have your AC tuned-up on a yearly basis.
Professional maintenance every spring is the best way to ensure your air conditioner will work properly throughout the summer, and also extends its total life by preventing minor wear and tear issues from becoming major repairs. The cost of annual maintenance will be recovered many times over through greater energy efficiency, fewer repairs and a longer life.
Inspect your home’s duct work.
Leaks in your duct work make your air conditioner work harder than necessary to cool your home. This wastes energy and can also cause your air conditioner to break down more often or need to be replaced sooner. Dirty air ducts can also limit the performance of your air conditioner, and should be cleaned.
