The summer heat is officially here, and if your air conditioner is on the older side, the last thing you want is to wake up to sweltering Louisiana heat and humidity and have no way to get relief. Luckily, with regular maintenance, you can prolong your air conditioner’s lifespan for years. Here’s how to keep your AC in great shape with the help of an AC contractor in Ruston, LA.
How to maintain your air conditioner
You don’t have to be handy to keep your air conditioner in great shape. The biggest goals are to keep it well maintained (with help from an AC contractor), clean and free of debris inside and out. It’s easy to change your filters every one to three months, clean your home’s air conditioning vents and remove debris around your outside unit. Never plant any shrubs or trees near your unit, as the vegetation can impede its ability to operate efficiently.
Another way to maintain your air conditioner is to ensure it doesn’t run at an unnecessarily low temperature. You might like your home to feel like an Arctic breeze, but this can overwork the system on particularly hot days. Don’t overwork your unit—instead, look for ways you can help it operate more efficiently. Good insulation, plenty of shade and blackout blinds can help keep your home’s interior cool.
Finally, make sure to turn your air conditioner on periodically throughout the year and let it run for a few minutes, just to ensure the moving parts remain lubricated and ready for use. Listen for any strange sounds or smells that may arise, and if you notice them, let your air conditioning contractor know as soon as possible.
How an air conditioning contractor can help
It’s important that you get yearly air conditioner maintenance. The best time for this is in the spring, before the mercury really starts rising. Similarly, you should have your heater inspected in the fall before it gets cold.
When you call an AC contractor in Ruston, LA for yearly service, they’ll go over your entire air conditioning system to look for any issues. This starts with basic maintenance like changing out the air filter and progresses to tasks like inspecting and cleaning the condenser coils. Your contractor will also check the coolant levels, lubricate the motor and any other moving parts, inspect the belts and ensure that the compressor’s amp draw is at an appropriate level. They’ll also go over the valves and hoses to make sure they remain sealed and crack-free.
Your air conditioner needs TLC to keep it running well, no matter how old or how new it may be. Remember, most units have a 10- to 15-year lifespan, so if you’re reaching the end of that time period, it might be smart to think about investing in a new energy-efficient unit. Today’s air conditioners will likely surprise you with how much more efficiently they run and how much less they cost you to use on a monthly basis.
For AC installation and repair in Ruston, LA, call J & B Air Conditioning, Heating, & Gutters today.