Having air conditioning in your home can greatly improve your quality of life depending on your health and where you live. For many people with health concerns related to breathing, having air conditioning in their homes can significantly improve their health. And for those living in tropical climates, air conditioning may be one of the only ways to be comfortable in their homes. Purchasing an air conditioning system can be a very large expense for a homeowner. As with any investment, there are things that you can do to extend the life of your purchase.
Schedule Regular Service
No matter the age of an air conditioning system, experts recommend having the system regularly serviced at least once a year. Professionals can clean the condenser coils, calibrate the thermostat, and check for leaks. They may also check the refrigerant and replace it if necessary. Should your unit require air conditioning repair Chicagoland, the tech can normally make any necessary repairs while performing the maintenance. Spotting and repairing issues ahead of time will save you from having to make an emergency call when the system malfunctions unexpectedly.
Properly Insulate Your Home
Having your home properly insulated can make it easier for your air conditioning unit to keep up with its job of cooling your home. In addition to ensuring that your home has the proper amount of insulation in the walls and attic, everyone in the household can contribute to daily insulation quality. This is done by ensuring that doors and windows are always properly closed. While it may be tempting to open windows to let in fresh air or to hear the birds sing, open windows in your home are going to make a lot of extra work for your air conditioning system. And extra work is only going to cause your system to age faster.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats allow homeowners to automatically adjust the temperature of the home for optimal efficiency throughout the day. If no one is home from Monday through Friday during working hours, the thermostat may be set to raise the temp of the home during those hours so that the air conditioner isn’t working as hard when no one is there to enjoy it. If homeowners like it cooler at night, the thermostat automatically kicks up the air before bed but automatically brings it down again once everyone goes to work. Some programmable thermostats can be linked to an app on your phone so that you can make any adjustments remotely.
Regardless of why you chose to install air conditioning in your home, it’s important to prolong the life of the system as long as possible. Air conditioning is a large investment and not many homeowners want to replace the system any sooner than is necessary. By scheduling regular maintenance, being mindful of proper insulation, and utilizing a programmable thermostat, you can keep your air conditioner as healthy as possible. While having the unit serviced, be sure to ask the technician for more tips on prolonging your air conditioner’s life. Small tips can often lead to fewer service calls and more savings in the future.