How to Keep The AC at Optimal Performance
Your air conditioner ... poor thing, it works so hard, and yet it complains so little. That's right, your air conditioner just sits in your window or outside your Summit NJ home, running and working, quietly keeping your house cool and comfy. But do you ever stop to think about what could go wrong with your air conditioner? What are the biggest factors in keeping your air conditioner happy? Are there things you're doing that could be negatively affecting it? And, if there are, there must be some AC maintenance you can do to keep it working properly, right. But of course! Here are some of the main things that can go wrong with your air conditioner, plus tips on what you can do to keep your home cooling system happy and performing its job the best it can.
Filter
One of the most important parts of your air conditioner is the filter. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most common places something could go wrong with the unit. The good news is that filters can be easily cleaned or even replaced, if necessary, and the costs to your time and wallet are minimal. Check the filter on a regular basis and clean away all debris and dirt, as this will clog the unit and make it freeze up. (If this happens, turn off the unit and the power to it, remove the filter, and replace it with a new one. Allow the unit a few hours to rest before putting in a new filter.) When you remove the filter, hold it up with light behind it. If you can see through it, it should still be working well. If you can't see through it, even after you've cleaned it, it's not doing its job. If the filter's beyond cleaning or it's worn beyond repair, buy a new one. Air conditioner filters are cheap, and most types can be found in stores or online.
Refrigerant
Refrigerant is something that a pro needs to check. (You might hear the word 'refrigerant' used interchangeably with the word 'Freon.' The truth is, though, that Freon is a refrigerant, but the word 'Freon' is merely a registered trademark of DuPont.) If your unit's refrigerant pressure is low, you might have a leak on your hands, in which case you'll need some air conditioner repair. Refrigerant is toxic, and a professional HVAC technician in Summit NJ needs to be the one to check this out to make sure things are working properly, meaning there are no leaks and the refrigerant level is correct.
Age
Nobody likes to think about it, but sometimes an old air conditioner just needs to retire. If your air conditioning unit is more than 15 years old, or if you bought it used and you have no idea how old it really is, it could be time to invest in a new one. Naturally, the best way to tell if your air conditioner is too old is by the unit's performance, which can often be tracked through your energy bills. First, if your air conditioner is giving off a weird, musty smell, it's probably time for a new unit. Additionally, if you're noticing a funny noise when the blower starts up, or the unit is way too loud, this could be a sign she's ready to bid you adieu. All of these problems are more than likely causing your energy bills to rise, and that means investing in a new system will probably cost you less than if you keep trying to run the old one. If that's the case, try one of the industry's energy efficient models that will conserve energy and save you money on monthly bills.
Your air conditioner has a pretty big and important job to do. It's tasked with keeping you and your family comfortable and pleasant, and there aren't too many things in your home that can say that. Do your air conditioner a favor. Make sure you check it regularly for signs of damage and wear. Clean out filters, check air conditioner components, and keep ductwork free of debris. And if problems arise that you can't or shouldn't handle yourself, contact a professional in your Summit County area who can resolve little problems before they become big problems. If you do all of these things, you and your air conditioner will have a long, happy life together!
Filter
One of the most important parts of your air conditioner is the filter. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most common places something could go wrong with the unit. The good news is that filters can be easily cleaned or even replaced, if necessary, and the costs to your time and wallet are minimal. Check the filter on a regular basis and clean away all debris and dirt, as this will clog the unit and make it freeze up. (If this happens, turn off the unit and the power to it, remove the filter, and replace it with a new one. Allow the unit a few hours to rest before putting in a new filter.) When you remove the filter, hold it up with light behind it. If you can see through it, it should still be working well. If you can't see through it, even after you've cleaned it, it's not doing its job. If the filter's beyond cleaning or it's worn beyond repair, buy a new one. Air conditioner filters are cheap, and most types can be found in stores or online.
Refrigerant
Refrigerant is something that a pro needs to check. (You might hear the word 'refrigerant' used interchangeably with the word 'Freon.' The truth is, though, that Freon is a refrigerant, but the word 'Freon' is merely a registered trademark of DuPont.) If your unit's refrigerant pressure is low, you might have a leak on your hands, in which case you'll need some air conditioner repair. Refrigerant is toxic, and a professional HVAC technician in Summit NJ needs to be the one to check this out to make sure things are working properly, meaning there are no leaks and the refrigerant level is correct.
Age
Nobody likes to think about it, but sometimes an old air conditioner just needs to retire. If your air conditioning unit is more than 15 years old, or if you bought it used and you have no idea how old it really is, it could be time to invest in a new one. Naturally, the best way to tell if your air conditioner is too old is by the unit's performance, which can often be tracked through your energy bills. First, if your air conditioner is giving off a weird, musty smell, it's probably time for a new unit. Additionally, if you're noticing a funny noise when the blower starts up, or the unit is way too loud, this could be a sign she's ready to bid you adieu. All of these problems are more than likely causing your energy bills to rise, and that means investing in a new system will probably cost you less than if you keep trying to run the old one. If that's the case, try one of the industry's energy efficient models that will conserve energy and save you money on monthly bills.
Your air conditioner has a pretty big and important job to do. It's tasked with keeping you and your family comfortable and pleasant, and there aren't too many things in your home that can say that. Do your air conditioner a favor. Make sure you check it regularly for signs of damage and wear. Clean out filters, check air conditioner components, and keep ductwork free of debris. And if problems arise that you can't or shouldn't handle yourself, contact a professional in your Summit County area who can resolve little problems before they become big problems. If you do all of these things, you and your air conditioner will have a long, happy life together!