The next time you're sitting comfortably in your air-conditioned home and enjoying the cool surroundings, it's important to remember that the way you interact with your A/C can either cause it to break down prematurely or extend its life dramatically. Since you're most likely in favor of the latter option, you can benefit from learning the different ways to keep the unit humming along healthily year after year. Part of maintaining your air conditioning is to have it serviced by an HVAC contractor about once per year. Beyond this professional care, you can extend the life of your unit by adopting these three habits.
Take The Time To Program Your Thermostat
Some homeowners are intimidated by their thermostat, especially if it has a number of advanced settings that seem daunting. It's worthwhile, however, to take some time to read through your manual and learn how to program the device. Doing so is important for the longevity of your air conditioner because it will allow the unit to turn off at specified times, thus saving unnecessary wear and tear. A conventional approach is to set the device to turn off for a few hours during the middle of the day when no one is at home, and then again overnight when the house temperature is cooler. Without the thermostat properly programmed, you can easily forget to turn down the A/C when you leave the house, which means it can run for hours unnecessarily.
Draw Your Curtains During The Heat Of The Day
When you allow the sun to shine into your home, it's elevating the interior temperature. As such, your air conditioner needs to work harder to bring down the temperature, which can cause undue wear on the unit. It's wise to make a habit of drawing the curtains in your home during the heat of the day. This simple act means that your A/C won't be working as hard, which can prolong its life. Make a habit of closing the curtains shortly before you leave for work and then reopening them again when you get home.
Don't Overcrowd Condenser Unit
The condenser unit located outside your home requires space to process the air. When vegetation grows close to the unit, it won't run as efficiently, which cause a premature breakdown. Be vigilant about keeping shrubs and other plants pruned away from the unit. Check your manual to verify the amount of space the condenser needs and don't be afraid to prune away any plants that impede the unit.
For HVAC service, contact a company such as Stellar Heating Solutions.
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