To keep your AC in good condition, perform routine maintenance, keep the room tightly closed, clean the filters, vents and use a thermostat

Summer has arrived, and the atmosphere is getting warmer every day. To save us from the scorching heat, air conditioners are becoming household necessities and almost every house has one. It helps to keep the room at a comfortable cool temperature. Take care of your air conditioner if you want it to function properly for a long time.

Summer has a harsh effect on air conditioners because the hotter the weather, the harder your AC has to work. Overworking your AC can damage its performance and lifespan.

Consider the following tips to make sure your air conditioner stays in a good condition

1. Clean the Filters

The air filters in the air conditioner will get dirty after long use. It can get clogged with dust and dirt which may cause several problems.

Your air conditioner will make loud noises and will not release the right amount of air. To prevent this from happening, clean your filters every 3 months. You can do it yourself or call in professionals from Service Emperor for routine maintenance.

If you use disposable filters, change your filters each year for peak performance.

2. Keep the Room Tightly Closed

Keeping the room tightly closed will prevent the cool air from leaking outside. If the cool air leaks, your air conditioner will work hard to release more air into the room. This becomes a cycle and will continue till you stop the leak.

If your air conditioner works too much to release cool air, it might overheat and get damaged. Apply caulking, weather-stripping, and proper insulation to tightly seal the room and prevent loss of cool air.

3. Turn It Off When Not Using

It is better to keep your air conditioner off when you are not in the room. Some people like to keep their AC on just to keep the room chilly when they get back. This is not an ideal solution instead, it makes your AC overwork.

4. Keep Your Room Shady

Shut the windows and pull up the curtains so that sunlight does not enter the room. Sunlight carries UV rays and these UV rays can heat up the room significantly, especially in summer. 

And if they enter the room, your air conditioner will need to pump a large amount of cool air, which in turn will heat the air conditioner. So pull up the curtains when the air conditioner is turned on.

5. Use Ceiling Fans along with the AC

Using ceiling fans together with air conditioners is an effective way to save energy and keep your room cool. If you turn on your ceiling fan and the AC, the fan will circulate the air and spread it across the room.

This cools down the air faster, and your air conditioner does not need to exert too much power and this helps to extend your AC’s lifespan.

6. Make Sure There is Enough Space for Your AC

Installing the air conditioner in a spacious area has various benefits. If the surrounding area is clear, air can flow smoothly all across the room and will not get blocked. 

Both the indoor and outdoor units need to be installed in a spacious area. Make sure the place is free from pillars, walls or any other blockages like large furniture. Air Conditioners have to take in and out air, so if it is installed in a cramped space, it will not work efficiently

7. Use a Smart Thermostat

A programmable smart thermostat can reduce your electricity bills. A smart thermostat can understand the right temperature needed for your room and adjust the air conditioner accordingly.

This way, the air conditioner does not have to pump out extra cold air and exert itself. If your AC is not automatically programmable, then set the temperature of the thermostat between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius, which is usually the normal room temperature.

8. Clean the Vents of the Air Conditioner

The AC releases cold air through these vents. So, if there is dirt and dust in these vents, not only will the airflow be hampered, but the dirt particles will be released in your room. Accidentally, inhaling them can cause an allergic reaction and other health problems.

This is especially a worrying factor for children and the elderly. So, clean the vents every 3-4 months so that dust does not accumulate inside the vent.

9. Make Sure the Outdoor Unit Is Clean

The outdoor unit of your air conditioner is just as important as the indoor one. If the outdoor unit is somehow damaged, the indoor unit will not work efficiently. Sometimes it may not even turn on.

To ensure this does not happen, keep the outdoor unit clean at all times. Clear the vents to prevent dust from settling. Also, keep objects like plants and vines away from the outdoor unit because they can block the fan and damage the unit.

10. Perform Regular Maintenance

Even after following all the steps listed above, there will be times when your air conditioner malfunctions or shows signs of damage.

In that case, you need to repair these damages as soon as possible to make your air conditioner last longer. Even if there are no signs of damage, you should do a maintenance check every 4-5 months to see the overall condition of the air conditioner.  Don’t hesitate to contact experienced technicians for reliable Portland AC repair and maintenance.

Otherwise,  it will slowly reduce the performance and longevity of the air conditioner. If your AC is older than 5 years, you will need to clean the filters, vents and change the gas every 3 months.

Final Thoughts

Most modern Air Conditioners last about 10-15 years but if you do not take care of it and perform routine maintenance, it will start to malfunction sooner. Once it does, the frequent repair costs will become annoying and your AC will not work efficiently. If you follow the above-mentioned tips, your AC should provide quality service for a long time and endure the harsh weather of the summers to come.