With proper care and maintenance, the air conditioner in your Indianapolis home can last upward of 15 years. To make sure your system lasts as long as possible, here are four things to stop doing to your A/C that could cause it harm.
Skipping Annual Maintenance
While skipping or postponing the annual maintenance visit saves a bit of money in the short term, it can lead to expensive repairs in the future. Regular maintenance helps to keep your system running efficiently and allows your HVAC contractor to spot potential problems before they become serious enough to cripple the system. During the visit, your contractor will typically clean the evaporator and condenser coils, clean the blower fan, check refrigerant levels, lubricate any moving parts and change the air filter.
Not Changing the Air Filter
The air filter protects your system from damage, removes contaminants from your indoor air and helps keep your air conditioner running efficiently. Between service visits, the air filter should be checked monthly during the cooling season and replaced when necessary, or cleaned if it is reusable.
Allowing the Evaporator Coil to Freeze
Poor airflow or refrigerant leaks can allow the evaporator coil to freeze up, potentially causing serious damage to your system if it continues to run. If you notice cooling problems or moisture near the air handler, check the evaporator coil. If it’s frozen, shut off the system and call a professional to inspect it for problems.
Not Performing an Energy Audit
An energy audit can help find problems in your home, such as a lack of insulation or air leaks, that make your air conditioner work harder than it needs to otherwise. By correcting the problems, you can reduce your energy costs and extend the life of your system. Performing an energy audit is even more important if you’re installing a new A/C unit, because it will help ensure your system is sized correctly.
For tips about other things to stop doing to your A/C, talk to our HVAC experts at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We proudly serve the Indianapolis area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Andriy Zholudyev/Shutterstock”
