Friday, June 17, 2011

Keep Your Air Conditioner Running

By John Millner


Most central air conditioner units only last about 12 to 15 years before they need to be replaced, but at an average cost of $2,500 to $5,000 or more to pay for a replacement central air conditioner you might want to try taking a few steps to keep your air conditioner running for as long as possible.

First, take the time out right now (before it gets really hot) to test your ac unit and make sure it's running correctly. If you do find a problem you might want to try some easy air conditioner trouble shooting methods if your air conditioner won't turn on. Here are are some steps you can take to keep your central air conditioner unit in good running order:

Keep Your Air conditioner Unit Clean: There's a big box with a fan in it outside your home that's responsible for most of your AC's cooling. It's important to keep the condenser clear and make sure there is nothing blocking the airflow. Things like leaves, weeds and even kids toys can all damage an air conditioner unit if left against the condenser. Make sure you aren't throwing anything against it when you cut your lawn.

Cool Off Your Air Conditioner: Putting your AC unit in the shade will reduce how hard it has to work and some estimates place the energy savings at nearly 10%! A US Department of Energy report recommends planting tall bushes or some sort of shade structure around your central air conditioner unit so that it doesn't have to work as hard to stay cool. High-end and commercial AC units actually have sensors in them that can adjust to warmer temperatures.

Run your Air Conditioner Frequently For Testing Purposes: Giving your air conditioner a regular "check up" will really help keep it working. First, you'll need to change your home air filter every three to six months. These filters can get blocked with dust and limit the amount of cool air you're getting in your home. A very blocked filter can actually destroy an AC unit and require it to be fixed.

Regular air conditioner vigilance all year around will help you stay cool for longer and with less AC breakdowns on those days when the temperature reminds you that it's summer! Use common sense and take a few minutes here and there to make sure your AC is working well and you're sure to have a cool and happy summer.




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