5 Most Common Air Conditioner Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

An effective air conditioning system is an important asset of a home or any commercial property. A quality air conditioner helps to promote a pleasant stay at home and also makes the office more conducive to work in during the hot sunny days. Apart from regulating the indoor temperature, air conditioners also help to clean the air we breathe. Scientific research has been found that indoor air has 100 times more pollutants than outdoor air, a fact that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Air conditioning units have filters that trap dirt, dust, and other contaminants.

Considering how important your air conditioning unit is, it is important to ensure that it is functioning properly at all times. Many property owners tend to invest in high-quality systems, however, they fail to ensure that they are properly maintained. Regular servicing and proper maintenance not only ensures that your unit continues to operate at optimum efficiency, but it also helps to extend the life of your unit and keep your energy bills at a minimum.

It is worth noting that even the most minor mistakes can drastically impact the performance and efficiency of an air conditioning system. Considering its high demand and nature of its functions, an air conditioner is highly susceptible to wear and tear. This is why ACs require proper care and maintenance. The following are 5 most common aircon maintenance mistakes to avoid.

1. Failing to Regularly Clean and Replace Filters and Coils

Filters and coils accumulate dirt, dust, and grime over time. Filters and coils play a crucial role in ensuring clean air and cool temperatures. Failure to clean these parts regularly leads to poor indoor air quality and reduced efficiency of your AC. The accumulation of dirt and dust can also lead to significant damage. You should clean your filters regularly and ensure that they are replaced every two months.

2. Not Setting the Thermostat Correctly

It is very tempting to set your thermostat to a temperature very low below your desired temperature in order to cool down your house faster. However, this is an ill-advised strategy as it not only puts extra pressure on your system and affects its performance, but also this strategy doesn’t work. This is because, based on its clock, your unit will take a minimum amount of time to cool your house regardless of how low you set the thermostat.

3. Failing to Regularly Service the Unit

Air conditioners require to be serviced at least once or twice per year. You should have your unit serviced even if there aren’t any noticeable signs of damage. Minor issues with your air conditioners tend to develop into more extensive problems which often lead to unexpected breakdowns shortening the lifespan of the unit. In addition, failure to service your unit reduces its efficiency by 5% every year. In a bid to save some extra cash, many people ignore servicing their unit but end up way more in repairs and early replacements.

4. Incorrectly Positioning the Outdoor Unit

How and where you place your outdoor unit affects its rate of energy consumption. Placing the unit directly facing the sun means that it will have to work harder and for longer in order to effectively cool your home. In order to ensure that your unit is functioning at optimum efficiency, you should set it up in a shaded area. This will help to keep your energy bills down. You should also ensure that the area is free from debris in order to prevent your unit from clogging.

5. Keeping Windows Open Throughout The Day

Even though it is sensible to open your windows in order to let in the fresh air, this often reduces the efficiency of your unit. This is because keeping your windows open lets in hot air and thus your unit has to work harder in order to cool your home. Hence, it is advisable to only open your windows early in the morning and in the evenings when the outdoor temperatures are low.

Avoiding the above mistakes will significantly help to reduce energy costs and ensures that your unit functions at optimum efficiency for a long time to come.

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