Summers in Dallas, TX are hot and humid. Fortunately, your air conditioner can both lower your indoor temperature and extract excess moisture from the air. Taking good care of this all-important appliance will keep you cool and comfortable when the mercury soars. It will also extend the lifespan of your AC. Check out these 10 tips for optimizing your air conditioner’s performance and extending its lifespan.
1. Perform Regular HVAC Air Filter Changes
According to HVAC equipment manufacturers, it’s important to inspect standard air filters monthly. The recommended schedule for replacing a standard air filter is once every 30 to 90 days. This simple task has a major impact on AC aging and performance. Neglecting filter changes can lead to accelerated wear and problems like:
- Short cycling
- Insufficient cooling
- Rising humidity
- Overheating
- Intermittent shutdowns
Poor filter maintenance is the most common cause of mid-season AC issues.
2. Take Care of Your HVAC Air Ducts
According to the University of Florida and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), HVAC air ducts can lose as much as 40% of the cooling energy that air conditioners produce. Leaky ductwork and in-duct buildups of dust, pollen, and other debris will decrease the efficiency of your cooling system and make it work harder.
During annual AC maintenance, our HVAC technicians test airflow throughout cooling systems. We check exposed ducting for crushed sections, perforations, and other damage. However, you should also schedule comprehensive ductwork inspections as per your HVAC installer’s recommended schedule.
Seal and Insulate Air Ducts
Sealing and insulating your HVAC air ducts can make your AC more efficient. In addition to limiting energy waste, these services will reduce AC strain and slow the progression of age-related wear.
Consider Professional Air Duct Cleaning
According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), professional air duct cleaning improves airflow, increases the efficiency of connected heating and cooling equipment, and contributes to longer heater and AC lifespans.
You should consider these services if your:
- AC emits unpleasant odors
- Energy bills are rising
- Indoor humidity is too high
- Indoor air quality (IAQ) has declined
All measures that optimize airflow and air distribution throughout your HVAC system will promote longevity for your air conditioner.
Contact Home Comfort Inc. today!
Keep Your Air Vents Open
Don’t try to customize air delivery by closing air vents in empty rooms. Multiple and prolonged vent closures increase static pressure in ducting and could cause your AC to short cycle, overheat, or fail before its time.
3. Set Your Thermostat Correctly
Start your summer off with the correct thermostat setting. Rather than waiting until the building interior is unbearably hot, set your thermostat between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the DOE, an indoor temperature of 78 degrees provides the perfect blend of comfort and energy savings. Thermostat settings that limit energy use also limit AC demand and ongoing AC wear.
Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Investing in a smart thermostat will give you greater control over your temperature setting. You can set scheduled temperature changes. You can also set your smart thermostat to adjust itself based on your comings and goings.
Smart thermostats come with branded mobile apps that homeowners can use anywhere. With a smart thermostat, you can view and adjust this device’s temperature remotely. Smart thermostats additionally provide lots of helpful data, including:
- Detailed energy consumption reports
- HVAC performance alerts
- Filter change reminders
- HVAC tune-up reminders
- IAQ alerts
With this and other data, you can make informed and timely decisions about AC maintenance, repairs, and usage.
4. Schedule Professional AC Maintenance
Among the best ways to make an air conditioner last longer is scheduling professional AC tune-up service at least once each year. These services minimize age-related wear. In some cases, professional maintenance can even reverse accumulated wear.
During these appointments, HVAC technicians:
- Lubricate moving parts
- Tighten loose components
- Replace worn parts
- Calibrate thermostats
- Optimize blower fan speeds
They also inspect and clean evaporator and condenser coils, check for refrigerant leaks, and ensure adequate condenser clearance among other things. Routine maintenance is an excellent opportunity for HVAC technicians to spot developing problems and address them early on.
5. Never Delay AC Repairs
If your air conditioner is noisier than normal, producing warm air rather than cold, emitting foul smells, or cycling off and on, call for help. Fixing problems while they’re still in their formative stages will limit your repair costs. It can also make your AC last a lot longer.
6. Purchase an HVAC Preventative Maintenance Plan
Staying on top of AC maintenance and performing timely repairs are easy with an HVAC preventative maintenance plan. These plans cover the costs of annual tune-up services. They provide helpful benefits like:
- Discounted AC replacements and parts
- Priority scheduling
- Complimentary or discounted air filters
- Reduced diagnostic and repair charges
With an HVAC preventative maintenance plan, you’ll also get helpful service reminders.
7. Maintain Balanced Humidity and Healthy IAQ
If your home feels clammy or muggy, find out why your humidity is too high and fix it. If everyone in your household is constantly sneezing, sniffling, or wheezing, consider professional IAQ support.
Having excess moisture in your home and high concentrations of airborne contaminants creates the perfect conditions for mold. These same conditions place unnecessary strain on air conditioners.
8. Pay for Professional AC Installation
Air conditioners that are too big or too small for their service areas work a lot harder than properly sized ACs. They also have shorter lifespans. Pay for professional AC selection and installation. HVAC companies use the Manual J Load Calculation to determine the best cooling system capacity for every home based on factors like:
- Building layouts
- Window sizes and locations
- Household sizes
- Ceiling heights
Using square footage alone is far less accurate and can lead to shorter lifespans and lifelong performance issues.
9. Create an Energy-Efficient Home
Make sure that the cooled air your air conditioner produces isn’t seeping out of leaky windows and doors or through cracks in building materials. Seal up cracks and gaps in your drywall and install weatherstripping. If needed, you can also add to your home’s insulation.
10. Protect Your AC Condenser
Regularly inspect your AC condenser throughout the cooling season. Verify that it has at least 24 inches of clearance on all sides. Remove all windblown debris and overgrown foliage to prevent airflow problems around this unit. It’s also important to regularly limb any trees that overhang your AC condenser so that weak or dying branches don’t come crashing down.
We’ve been helping homeowners in Dallas save money since 1954. We offer expert AC maintenance, installation, and repair services. Our team also provides HVAC air duct cleaning and integrated IAQ support. To sign up for our HVAC preventative maintenance plan or schedule an appointment, get in touch with Home Comfort Inc. today!
