8 things that are bad for your a/c

 

Ignoring Sizing Requirements

HVAC pros carefully size air conditioning units to match the number of cubic feet in a new building. When purchasing a new AC unit or renovating your house, the homeowner must make sure the unit fits the space properly. Installing an air conditioning unit rated for a smaller space than your home causes it to work overtime cooling the air. Overworked air conditioners wear out more quickly and struggle to meet the demands of the thermostat. An air conditioning unit rated for a larger space than you have constantly turns on and off, wearing itself out and growing undependable over time. Pay attention to capacity and pick the right unit for the space you have. 

Never Cleaning Fins and Coils

Air conditioner coils and fins help the evaporators inside the house and the condensers outside absorb and release heat. This process of moving heat is vital, but layers of dust and grime impede it. If you never check your coils, that grime decreases efficiency and costs you money. Clean your air conditioner at the beginning of the warm season and check it from time to time, particularly after storms or high winds to make sure your coils and fins stay clear

Ignoring Your Air Filter

Your home's air filter removes dust, allergens and more from the air passing through the system. You must replace these lightweight cardboard-and-wire constructs regularly. After six months or so, that filter becomes so choked with dirt that air has a tough time getting through, and the unit can't really do its job anymore. That not only increases the dust in your home, it greatly decreases airflow for your air conditioning unit.

You can improve energy use for your air conditioner by five to 15 percent just by replacing a dirty filter. So make sure you install a new filter a couple of times a year. And remember to check and change it after particularly dusty activities, like cleaning ductwork, a big demolition or refinishing a wood floor.

Not Checking Your Drain

Many air conditioning systems use drains that collect condensation and prevent moisture issues by channeling water outside of the house. These drains can be easy to miss, but they have an important job. A clogged and overflowing drain creates bad news for your air conditioning system and even worse news for surrounding floors and walls, which can sustain permanent damage. So keep your drain line clean, and consider snaking it with a wire every year or two so gunk doesn't accumulate.

Setting the Temperature Too Low

This common mistake goes back decades, when many homeowners didn't understand how air conditioning systems worked. People frequently turned their thermostats way down, thinking it would cool the space faster. It doesn't.

Air conditioners run at full power or turn off. Thus they work just as hard to lower the temperature one degree as they do to lower it by 20 degrees. Larger changes just cause it to run longer. So program your thermostat to exactly where you want it, not lower than you needed

Never Arranging a Check-Up

As we mentioned, most air conditioning systems use refrigerant that absorbs heat from the house and disperses it outdoors. This refrigerant compound is important to air conditioner operation, but small amounts can escape over time, making the system less efficient. How do you know if you need to add refrigerant? Arrange for an experienced technician to test your air conditioning system and top off your refrigerant, if needed.

Forgetting About Your Windows

A lot of heat enters the home through windows, especially open windows. If you really want to control heat in your house, pay attention to your windows, too. Keep them closed with blinds or drapes drawn during the hottest parts of the day, particularly windows facing the sun. In the evening, open upstairs and downstairs windows to encourage the natural flow of cooler air. The less work an air conditioner has to do, the better! Plus: 12 aha! ideas for keeping your house cool this season.

Avoiding Replacement

The initial cost of replacing your air conditioning unit is high, but that doesn't mean you should avoid a new purchase. Don't make the mistake of keeping your old air conditioner long after you should. If you’re planning to buy a new one.

Older air conditioners that perform poorly cost you more in repairs and run less efficiently than new models, even when they were new themselves. By replacing air conditioning units aged 15 to 19 years or more, you could start saving money on monthly bills by investing in a newer, more efficient version.