There’s no shortage of air conditioners questions about what should be done to lower cooling bills, to prevent repairs, and to ensure that it lasts for years and years.
But sometimes, the best way to answer a question is by saying what you shouldn’t do. In this post, we’ll do just that by telling you what not to do to avoid AC problems.
Not Letting the AC Run Its Course
You shouldn’t try to make your AC work faster or better than it’s designed to. If installed properly, your AC will cool your home as efficiently as possible with consideration to things like square footage, environment, and climate. Part of this process is the length of time it takes to cool your home, also known as a “cycle.”
However, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to try and accelerate the cooling process. They do this by setting the thermostat several degrees lower than what they intend. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work as intended and will lead to unnecessary strain on the system.
Attempting Your Own AC Repairs
We’re not just saying this because we’re an HVAC company. The inner workings of an air conditioner are an entirely different beast than your usual DIY projects.
Some of the biggest reasons we would urge you not to do your own HVAC services in Fort Wayne, IN include:
- The presence of refrigerant: Your AC relies on highly pressurized refrigerant to perform its cooling functions. If you were to accidentally damage a refrigerant line or coil and cause it to leak, you’d be causing a problem that truly needs repairs from a professional.
- Specialized parts and skills: Often, a serious problem in your AC is due to a component that has failed and needs to be replaced. But the parts in an air conditioner are not just things you can pick up at a hardware store. You might start working on your AC only to find that you can’t finish the job.
- Warranties: Most warranties state that only a professional HVAC technician can perform maintenance and repairs. In other cases, they might say that repairs can only be done using parts of a certain quality. DIY repairs would void the warranty.
Forgetting to Change the Air Filter
A dirty air filter is the king of easily preventable AC troubles. Whenever you’re in doubt, the first thing you want to do is go and check that air filter.
The air filter is typically responsible for a number of scary symptoms. A dirty and clogged air filter can prevent the evaporator coil or blower from working properly. It also forces your air conditioner to work harder when pulling air through the system, which can lead to short-cycling and other inefficiency issues.
But don’t assume that replacing the filter will be the end of your troubles. Keep a close eye on the system and your monthly cooling bills to see if the AC is still suffering from efficiency issues. If it is, don’t hesitate to call in a professional.
Contact Collier’s Comfort today to schedule an appointment for air conditioning repairs. True Comfort, True Savings