The way you use and maintain your home's air conditioner will greatly affect its overall longevity and durability, and with how well it actually cools your home in summertime. Many homeowners neglect to consider their use and even the maintenance of that system, until it begins to act up, or it breaks down altogether. To ensure you're not doing anything that would cause an early breakdown of your system while always keeping your home as comfortable as possible, note a few mistakes you'll want to avoid when it comes to a residential air conditioner.
Hiding it
Many homeowners want their outside property to look manicured and relaxing, and a central air conditioning compressor right outside the home may not be an attractive feature to add to your landscaping! However, you need to avoid trying to hide the unit with plants and shrubbery, as this can increase the number of twigs, seeds, leaves, and other debris that make their way into the compressor, slowing down the air flow that it needs through the outside grills. That debris can also get into the fan blades and motor, causing damage. To hide your unit, build a wood blind that you can paint or stain a nice colour, or build a wall with bricks or pavers, keeping these a good distance from the unit, so that there is plenty of room for needed air circulation around the compressor.
Forgetting the filter
It may occur to you to change the filter in your home's furnace before winter arrives, but a central air conditioner uses that same filter for the cool air it produces and pushes through your home. If you don't change the filter again once summer arrives, it can be dirty and clogged, and the air conditioner will need to work harder to push air through it. Change that filter as the seasons change, to protect both your furnace and air conditioner.
Running it constantly
Some homeowners run their air conditioner all day and night, perhaps figuring it works harder when you let the home get warmer by switching off the unit. In truth, running the compressor without a break is what adds to its overall wear and tear, as the condenser needs time to cool down after its been in use for several hours. If your home gets very hot during summertime, consider buying a window or portable air conditioner that you can switch on while the central unit gets switched off for a time, so you don't cause excess wear on the central unit.
Share20 September 2017
My mum did so much for me growing up and now I'm older it's time to repay the favour. She bought me my first car and now I'm going to get her a new car now. Her old car keeps breaking down and the air conditioning doesn't work properly so I want to get her a reliable little car with a good air conditioning that looks cute. I don't have an unlimited budget but knowing that mum will have a decent car means I am willing to give up a few luxuries. This blog is all about buying a car for your parents.
