There is more to your air conditioning system that meets the eye. Air conditioning systems may not strike you as very complicated. This is in part because most of us take for granted that they work. It’s true that once you become a homeowner you’ll encounter an air conditioning problem or two. However, a handy AC repair service can take care of that, can’t it? We think about our AC units when they aren’t working at all. We don’t tend to notice small problems here and there, and we accept our air conditioning bills without question. Rarely do we ask an air conditioning contractor about other options, because we don’t know about other options. Nor do we necessarily know about the work that goes into ensuring that air conditioning units work properly and don’t have to replaced prematurely. With the help of a good air conditioning contractor and HVAC company, you’ll discover that you don’t have to pay exorbitant bills on a monthly basis. Nor do you have to wait until your air conditioning system is entirely broken before you replace it. Let’s look into what you can do to have the best, most efficient air conditioning system possible. You’d be amazed by what a few changes can do.
Maintaining AC Units: The Basics
Many of us aren’t in touch with an air conditioning contractor. However, there are a few minor tips that you should know as soon as you buy a home with an air conditioning unit. For one thing, you should inquire about the age of your unit. It’s believed that about 20% of homes built in the 1980s have equipment — including AC units — that is at least 20 years old. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your unit is completely useless. It may seem to run just fine — but that may be because you don’t know what to look for. Just like almost any piece of equipment, your cooling and heating equipment will become less efficient over time. The physical life of your HVAC unit can be shorter than its economic life. This means that while the unit still runs, it may not be efficient and may therefore cost you more money than a newer, more efficient unit would. Replacing components of your heating and cooling system — or the whole thing entirely — can save you a lot in energy costs, especially if what you’re replacing is 15 years old or older. Try having your unit inspected regularly. If your air conditioning contractor recommends that you replace the unit, you should do so. Waiting because it appears to work is really no use. By replacing your old unit with a new one, you do have to pay an immediate cost; a new unit could reduce your energy use by 20% to 50% — and that will cut down on your bill as well.
Faulty AC Units: What To Look For
There are several symptoms to look for when you suspect your air conditioning unit of wear and tear. For example, try to be aware of an excessive dust in your home. This could be a sign of leaky ducts in an AC unit. Excessive humidity can be another sign of a need for repair. Leaky ducts could again be the cause, but so could any other broken parts. Should you notice any such signs, there are ways that you can decrease the pressure put on your AC unit, should you be reluctant replace the unit immediately. This could include installing new fans in your home and checking drafty areas of the house. Drafts could be signs of faulty insulation, which leads to wasted energy.
Remember: as much as you may balk at the prospect of investing in a new AC unit — or for that matter regular service checkups — you can save a lot of money in the long term by investing a little now. Therefore, it’s certainly worth considering.