AC units can last for decades when property cared for

An AC unit is a big investment and plays one of the most important roles in keeping your home comfortable. Not only does it regulate temperature, an air conditioning unit also keeps your space from being too humid. There are many choices when it comes to purchasing a new unit, and many models have some great features which can help with longevity, but the user of the system has the most responsibility for keeping the unit in good health and running for many years. Even the best, most expensive AC units can go bad in a short time if they aren’t cared for properly. Our company is happy to serve Walnut Creek and the entire Bay Area’s HVAC needs. We have a team of trained and licensed professionals who work with our clients to ensure their homes are comfortable year-round through courteous service when there is an issue, or as part of our preventative maintenance service. We wanted to give people a few tips to follow to ensure your AC unit has the best chance of cooling for years to come. Taking these simple steps can help you get as many years as possible out of your current system. Regularly Change Air Filters This one might seem obvious, but keeping clean air filters is vital to the health of your system. Clean air filters ensure dirt and debris is not flowing through the AC unit and if a filter is dirty, it can cause the unit to work harder to cool your home. While most manufacturers recommend changing filters every three months, if you have a pet or multiple pets, you should likely change them more often. Ensure Your Home is Property Insulated If there are cracks or poorly insulated areas in your home it can put additional strain on your AC unit since it has to work harder to cool the entire space. Using materials with a higher R-value like spray foam insulation and windows containing argon gas can help a unit last much longer. Landscape Around the Unit Make sure the area around the unit itself is free from debris, weeds, grass, roots or other materials which could interfere with the condenser. It’s also important to ensure rain water is not draining toward the unit and it isn’t damaged during a severe weather event. Schedule Regular Maintenance Even if your AC unit doesn’t have an issue, it’s not a bad idea to have it checked regularly. Having a technician visit your home and run diagnostics on every part of your system is a great way to find potential issues before they become a problem. Issues like drain line clogs, running out of coolant, ductwork debris buildup or collapse, poor insulation and more can be found before they become a problem if they are regularly checked. It’s important to protect your AC unit, as it’s one of the biggest investments in your home. If you need professional assistance with your unit, or if you would like to schedule regular maintenance to prolong the life of your system, please don’t hesitate to give us a call today!