How long your air conditioning system will last and remain functional depends on how you treat it. On average, most systems are built to last for about 8 – 12 years but with the proper care and maintenance, your aircon can give you great service for about 15 years.
The good news is that you don’t need a degree in rocket science to maintain your AC and make it last longer. This article will give you 6 free tips on how you can extend the life of your air conditioning system.
Give your aircon a break
It goes without saying that when the AC is always on and cooling the air, it will wear down at a faster rate. Therefore, the trick is to come up with a way of having the AC rest when you are not in the house. When you are going away for a couple of days, you can turn it off.
During the night when it’s not too hot, sleep with the windows open as opposed to using the system to cool the internal house environment. These are some of the things that you can do to give the air conditioner a break and this will reduce the rate of wear and tear and hence it will last longer.
Keep it cool
A majority of conditioners are placed outside the house and this means that they are exposed to the elements. During hot weather, the sun heats up the air conditioner and this means that it has to do double the work it is supposed to do.
This will reduce its life expectancy by up to 5 years. To avoid it, either plant some trees around it to block the sun from falling on it or build a shelter for the air conditioner. A shelter is better in that it reduces dust and other debris from getting into the conditioner making it last longer.
Have your aircon maintained on regular basis
If you want to increase the number of years that your air conditioner will last, you will want to make sure that it is maintained on a regular basis. Regular maintenance means that small problems are taken care of before we need to repair or even replace it.
In addition, the maintenance expert also carries out the task of cleaning the AC and this increases its efficiency. With efficient functioning, your air conditioning unit will enjoy 5 more birthdays. During the maintenance, make sure that the filters are changed.
Work with a professional during installation
One of the most basic ways of making sure that your aircon does not experience a sudden death is to make sure that it is installed by a qualified professional. The professional will advise you on the right AC to use for your home or office needs and install it on how it is supposed to be installed.
This way, you will maximize the air conditioner’s use while putting a minimum or no strain on it, which will make it last longer.
Make sure there are no airflow problems
Another common thing that reduces the lifespan of your air conditioning unit is airflow problems. When there are leaks in the air ducts, the conditioner has to work extra hard to cool the home, increasing its wear and tear rate.
Also, make sure that there are no obstacles that interrupt the free circulation of air within the home. On the same note, make sure that the ducts are clean and not blocked in any way to make sure that air is flowing freely. With no airflow problems, your air conditioner will hum efficiently for a long time, and this is what you want.
Learn to use the thermostat
The best units in the market today come with thermostats that can be programmed. Set the thermostat to allow the aircon to keep the house cool only when it is hot. This way, it means that the unit will only be working when it is hot, reducing the strain on it.
With the proper use of the thermostat, you will hardly use the air conditioning unit during the cold season, and this saves you a lot in terms of energy and repair costs. In the long run, your air conditioner will end last for a long time.