5 Tips for Making Your AC Last Longer in Mechanicsville, MD

Living in an area known for its hot and humid summers can encourage you to pay closer attention to your air conditioning system. The last thing you want is for your system to fail long before its time and during the peak of the warmer seasons. Here are five tips for making your AC last longer in Mechanicsville, MD.

1. Run Your AC System as Needed

One common mistake homeowners make is running their AC systems continuously. Running your system without breaks can wear down your system faster. You want to make sure that you’re only running your system as needed.

Keep your thermostat at a comfortable temperature that it can reach. If you notice that your AC is running all the time despite your thermostat being set at a reasonable temperature, you might have an underlying problem with the system.

2. Install a Smart Thermostat

There’s nothing wrong with traditional thermostats. However, smart thermostats offer many useful features to help your AC system last longer. If you haven’t already, consider installing a new thermostat to help your AC last longer.

A new smart thermostat will allow you to monitor energy levels and make informed air conditioning decisions. Many models can also detect issues with your system before you do, helping avoid breakdowns. Early repairs protect the system from further damage, helping it last longer.

Smart thermostats can also automatically adjust the temperature according to your schedule. Some models also have sensors to detect when people are home and automatically adjust temperatures when no one is home and moving around. The less your system has to work, the longer it will last.

3. Replace Your Air Filter Often for Smoother Operation

Air filters serve the vital purpose of keeping particulates from entering your AC system. However, as they do their job, they will eventually become less effective as more dirt and debris accumulate on the surface of the filter. A clogged filter also strains the system.

Replacing your air filter frequently is of the utmost importance if you want to keep your AC system operating effectively. The general rule of thumb is to replace filters every 60 to 90 days. However, during periods of heavy use, you may wish to replace them every month to prevent extensive buildup from affecting your system.

4. Keep the Area Surrounding Your Unit Clean

Does your outdoor space pose a risk to your AC system? Is the outdoor condenser unit surrounded by falling leaves, debris that the wind can sweep in and other threats? If so, you could very well be looking at a system that will struggle with inefficiency or even failure in the future.

Keeping these threats away from your outdoor unit will ensure that external elements don’t block or enter the system. In addition to raking leaves, you should prune branches that could fall onto the condenser and keep nearby bushes trimmed.

You should also regularly clean the area close to your outdoor unit. These preventive actions will go a long way in helping your AC system last longer.

5. Schedule Regular AC System Maintenance

Many homeowners forget about their AC systems until something happens to it. By then, they need repairs, and the lack of care might have already affected their AC system’s lifespan. Regular HVAC maintenance offers many benefits for homeowners.

AC maintenance and tune-ups offer improved functionality during the year’s warmest months. A quick maintenance visit in the spring will ensure that everything is working properly so you can enjoy your AC system all summer.

The second benefit of a maintenance check is catching issues early before they become more serious. Well-timed maintenance prevents any developing issues from having a massive impact on your AC system. Take care to schedule AC system maintenance every year.

Preventing your AC system from failing prematurely is simpler than you might assume, especially with the right support. Call us at Hancock Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning in Mechanicsville, MD to keep your system running optimally with prompt AC repair, regular maintenance and new installation when your HVAC system needs replacing.

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