Heat Cool and Insulate

Posts Tagged ‘AC troubleshooting’

Most central air conditioner 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 replacement central AC you might want to try taking a few steps to keep your air conditioner in service for as long as possible.

You may want to test your ac unit now while there’s still time to repair any potential problems. If you do find a problem you might want to try some of these ac troubleshooting tips before calling in a repairman. Here are some things you can do to keep your central AC unit in good running condition:

Keep It Clear: The big fan housing part of your AC unit outside your home is called the condenser and it’s what actually cools a Freon liquid in the coils of your air conditioner. It’s important to keep the condenser unblocked and make sure there is nothing blocking the airflow. Things like leaves, weeds and even kids toys can all damage an air conditioner unit if left against the condenser.

Keep your AC Cool: The U.S. Department of Energy suggests planting tall bushes or some sort of shade structure around your central AC unit so that it doesn’t have to work as hard to cool the coils inside it. Putting your AC unit in the shade will reduce how hard it has to run and some estimates place the energy savings at nearly 10%! Some high-end and commercial AC units actually have regulators in them that can adjust to warmer temperatures.

Check your AC Frequently: Giving your air conditioner 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 house. A severely blocked filter can actually break an AC 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!   Remember: a few dollars in maintenance can prevent you from needing a home loan just to buy a new AC unit. I hope this helps you save some money and helps your air conditioner unit keep cool this summer!

Need to learn more about keeping your air conditioner running? Check out more AC repair articles to stay cool this summer.

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Tags: Insulation, Heating, energy savings

Tags: Heating, Insulation, energy savings