2 AC System Maintenance Mistakes You Should Avoid

5 August 2022
 Categories: , Blog

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Your AC system needs regular and scheduled maintenance to function correctly. Otherwise, the equipment will break down frequently, leading to costly repairs. When you call an AC unit professional to service your unit, they will do more than clean your equipment. These pros will also inspect your system and run diagnostic tests to detect defects you may not have noticed.

The professionals will also recommend valuable tips to help you take care of your unit better. The following are air conditioning system maintenance mistakes you should avoid.

Setting the Thermostat Too Low

You may be tempted to lower the thermostat temperatures if it gets too hot in your home. You might think this move will help your AC system cool your home better. But this assumption can't be further from the truth. You need to understand that your AC can only lower your home's temperatures to 20 degrees. So, your unit won't reach its ideal target if your thermostat's pre-set temperature is 20 degrees higher than the outdoor temperatures.

As a result, your AC will run for longer hours than necessary. Doing so will cause it to waste a lot of energy, translating to high utility bills. Also, longer run times will strain your unit and compromise its efficiency. The equipment might start to malfunction and not cool your home properly. Additionally, your AC unit will be prone to unnecessary breakdowns.

You may be surprised to learn that raising your thermostat pre-set temperature will help cool your home better. When the temperature difference between your indoor space and the outdoors is higher, it increases the rate at which warm air from the outside will enter your home. Raising the thermostat temperatures will thus prevent warm air from getting into your home too quickly. Hence, your house will cool much faster.

You are probably wondering what a suitable thermostat setting is. Experts recommend setting your thermostat at 78 degrees when you are around and 85 degrees at night or when you aren't around.

Not Cleaning Your Equipment

Your air filters can get clogged with dust and debris, restricting airflow. This malfunction means your AC system won't have enough air to function correctly and cool your home. You must regularly clean air filters to maintain your unit's optimum efficiency.

Also, you need to clean the area around your AC unit, especially the outdoor unit. Dust and other particles can accumulate on the equipment. Also, leaves and twigs from the vegetation around your home can get to the AC unit and cause blockage. 

Remember, your outdoor unit releases heat the refrigerant is carrying from your indoor air. Therefore, if your AC unit is clogged, the refrigerant will struggle to eliminate the heat due to improper airflow.