When your air conditioner suddenly breaks down or malfunctions because of prolonged use, you might think that it just needs a few minutes of rest. While giving your AC a break can help, there are also cases wherein switching it off (for a certain amount of time) and turning it back on won’t help. This is especially true if you neglect the unit or fail to have it serviced regularly.
Simple adjustments can help improve its efficiency, but not so much if you have an old and poorly maintained system. If you rely on your AC during summer and don’t want it to break down or malfunction, you can start with caring for your unit and learning more about things that can affect its efficiency and service life.
Things that can compromise the unit
If giving the AC a break doesn’t do anything, your first move should be calling repair experts. You should also think of the age of the unit and assess its overall condition. The way you treat it even matters, as this can affect how long your AC will last. If you don’t change its filters or have it serviced at least once a year, you might be the one to blame for its breakdown.
AC tune-up experts in Utah share other mistakes that you might be making when it comes to your cooling unit:
- Setting the thermostat too low
- Not having a programmable thermostat
- Letting the AC run constantly
- Not having blinds or curtains
- Having improperly positioned vents or thermostat
- Not using ceiling fans (to relieve some burden from the system)
- Cooling empty rooms
The average service life of an AC
The service life of air conditioners depends on several factors. With proper maintenance, you can expect the unit to last an average of 15 to 20 years. Do take note that appropriate care is essential and this includes replacing or changing the filters regularly, giving it an occasional break during summer, and having it tuned up at least once a year.
Units that are continually running or neglected are likely to give up sooner than expected. Here are some of the signs that your AC needs repair or is about to break down:
- It blows hot air
- Odd smells coming from the unit
- Noisy unit
- Weakened airflow
- Frequent cycling
- Frequent repairs
Component failure and replacing the unit
Note that there are also times when one part of the AC gives up, and this can be repaired or replaced instead of replacing the unit. Again, proper maintenance of the unit is essential to preserve the parts and prolong the life of the AC. If your AC, however, is more than 15 years old, it is a good idea to consider buying a new one. This is to avoid repairs and breakdowns, especially during summer.
A new unit, especially a certified one, brings a host of other benefits such as:
- Lower cooling and energy bills
- High energy-efficiency rating
- Little impact on the climate or reduced carbon footprint
- Better cooling efficiency
- Longer operating life (than old units)
If you don’t want your AC to give up on you, make proper care and regular maintenance a priority. This to prevent breakdowns and unit failure during hot summer months. You can hire a service technician for an AC tune-up and request additional pointers for prolonging the life of the unit.
Image Credits: Air Conditioner from 3DPhoto /Shutterstock