Your AC unit is an expensive investment that should keep you and your family comfortable for 15 to 20 years — and occasionally longer if you’re lucky. Sadly, we all know that isn’t always the case. Parts break, components get worn down, and Mother Nature finds a way to push the entire system beyond its max every summer. As a result, your AC’s lifespan can turn out to be much shorter than you thought.
These are examples of factors you, as an Argyle, Texas homeowner, can’t directly control. But did you know there are bad behaviors you may be unknowingly doing right now that hurt your AC’s lifespan?
Extending the life of your AC unit’s lifespan doesn’t have to be complicated. Just avoid these 5 harmful behaviors.
5 Ways You’re Hurting Your AC’s Lifespan Right Now
1. Not scheduling preventative maintenance — You’re probably tired of us harping on this, but the secret to ensuring your home’s HVAC system runs efficiently and keeps your family comfortable year-round comes down to preventative maintenance. Sure, everything may be working great right now, but more often than not, the families who don’t have to worry about their AC’s lifespan are the ones who had their systems professionally inspected, serviced, and cleaned before those peak times of the year become too unruly. The Indoor Air Quality Association lists these essential reasons why preventative maintenance is so important:
• Prevent costly breakdowns
• Reduce energy bills
• Extend the life of your system
• Stay protected under warranty
• Improve your indoor air quality
• Improve your comfort
2. You’re not keeping your home clean — By not keeping your home clean, air vents and air ducts throughout your home can easily become clogged with dust particles, etc. As a result, your AC unit must work harder instead of smarter — thus reducing its lifespan. Cleaning your home regularly frees up airflow throughout the house and prevents harmful particles from being drawn into the system.
Check out our latest promotion: a FREE Apco-X with a complete system installation.
3. Not changing your air filters — Air filters remove dust, dirt, pollen, and other particles to keep your home’s air clean and safe. They also ensure critical airflow cycles to and from your air conditioner to keep your home comfortable. Clogged air filters force the unit to work harder and can shorten your AC’s lifespan. Most air filter manufacturers like General Electric, Filtrete, HEPA, and Honeywell, and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every three months. But that depends on the size and quality of your air filter.
4. You’re not keeping the outdoor unit clean — Grass clippings, dirt, pet urine, leaves, landscaping, weeds, etc., can easily collect on fan blades and compromise other components. This prevents airflow, limits your AC’s lifespan, and keeps the system from working efficiently. Hosing down your unit every so often, especially after you’ve done yard work, and maintaining at least two feet of clear space around the unit is a great way to avoid unnecessary obstructions that can harm your unit.
5. You have unrealistic temperature settings on your thermostat — We all want to stay cool and comfortable during the summer, but setting your thermostat below 70 on a super hot day or constantly changing your thermostat settings forces your system to turn on and off more frequently throughout the day. While this may not sound like a big deal, you’re pushing the AC unit to work harder and reach temperature points that it might not be able to reach realistically, given how hot it is outside.
Call A&A Air in Argyle, TX, Today To Extend Your AC’s Lifespan.
It can be frustrating not knowing how long your AC unit will last. But preventative maintenance can at least extend your AC's lifespan as long as possible. At A&A Air, we take your family’s comfort seriously. We know our job inside and out and respond promptly.
All you need to do is give us a call today!
We proudly serve Argyle, TX, and surrounding areas. You can email us at customercare@AAair.net or call 972-951-1320.