Air conditioning seems to grow in popularity every year for homes and businesses. Not only do they keep you comfortable during the warmer months, but they also improve your indoor air quality. The problem is that most of us are likely make a few small mistakes when we first have it installed, leading to inefficiency, higher energy bills, and even a shortened lifespan for your system.
So to ensure you’re not making any of these costly mistakes, and getting the best performance from your air conditioning system, here are five of the most common mistakes that you should try to avoid, and what you should do instead.
Skipping Maintenance and Servicing
It may seem fine to just let your air conditioning unit run without having it regularly serviced, but that’s actually one of the worst things you can do for your system. Dust and debris will naturally build up in your air conditioning unit over time, clogging the filters and stopping air from flowing properly. The harder your system has to work, the quicker it will wear down and break.
Regularly maintaining your air conditioning system will improve its efficiency and save you money in the long run. Cleaning or replacing filters, checking components are working correctly, and servicing your system will ensure efficient energy consumption, and stop your system from breaking down unexpectedly.
Tip: Get your air conditioning system serviced annually by a professional.
Blocking Airflow
Your air conditioning doesn’t work unless air can flow through it properly. Blocking vents or indoor units with furniture, or allowing outside units to fill up with leaves and debris can stop air from flowing properly, reducing the efficiency of your system and stopping it from cooling properly.
You should always keep your indoor and outdoor units clear. Not only will this impact airflow and make your system work harder, but you could end up with inconsistent temperatures in your property.
Tip: Always keep airways clear and don’t block your indoor and outdoor units.
Setting The Temperature Too Low
It’s common to want to turn your air conditioning unit to the lowest setting when you switch it on, but did you know that it doesn’t actually cool the room any quicker? Not only will this effect the energy consumption, but your energy bills will sky-rocket with no real benefit.
By keeping your air conditioning at a consistent setting, you’ll use less energy and keep your home or office at a nice temperature. It might take a little longer to cool down, but at least you know you’re keeping things efficient.
Ignoring Early Warning Signs
If your air conditioning starts making weird noises, smells funny, or doesn’t seem to be cooling your home, chances are something is wrong. Many people ignore these symptoms and hope it’ll go away, however this will almost always lead to bigger and more expensive problems.
From clogged filters to refrigerant leaks or blocked drainage channels, spotting the problem early can save you a lot of money and keep your machine working efficiently for longer.
Tip: Don’t sit around waiting for your unit to fully stop working, call a professional if you spot an issue.
Attempting DIY Repairs
While some air conditioning maintenance is safe to do yourself, you should never attempt to fix your unit on your own. Without the right equipment and experience, you could make the problem worse and even put yourself at risk.
Many air conditioning problems can be easily fixed by a professional. Replacing filters and cleaning your external unit is perfectly fine, but we wouldn’t recommend you go any further than that.
Tip: If in doubt, always contact a professional.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these common air conditioning mistakes can make a huge difference to your system’s performance, energy efficiency, and lifespan. Ensuring your unit is regularly maintained and properly used will save you money and extend the life of your system.
If you need help with your current system, or need a new air conditioning system installed, our team of professionals are always on hand to help you out.