Air conditioner neglect is a problem that can be insidious. Anyone who is neglecting their air conditioner doesn’t know they’re doing it, but the effect takes its toll and sooner or later you’re dealing with an early replacement. In terms of cost, neglect can be a terrible problem because it can force you to spend more money on your air conditioner later, than paying minimally for services like maintenance and fast repairs now. Basically, neglect leads to wasted money and an air conditioner that can break down more easily.
Don’t worry! North Central Florida Air Conditioning is here to help! We’ve got some great tips that could help you avoid AC neglect and get in touch with us for air conditioning service in Gainesville, FL. These tips will help you stay on top of the condition your AC is in, and they’ll be useful for the future.
Tip #1: Start a Checklist
Not everyone has a perfect memory. We’d probably get a resounding “no” if we asked everyone on our team if they had a perfect memory. It’s okay to forget things, which is why having a handy checklist available is the perfect solution! A checklist can help you make sure that your AC is in good shape throughout the summer without having to spend agonizing time remembering what a technician said years ago, or having to read the system’s manual. Here are just a few things you can put on your checklist for the whole family to help with.
- Hose off the outdoor cabinet and remove debris, dirt, critters, pebbles, sticks, and bugs.
- Make sure nothing is blocking your air vents.
- Check the thermostat to make sure it’s the correct temperature and in the correct setting.
- Keep doors and windows closed and invest in insulation if necessary.
Think about checking these off once a month to ensure your AC functions at peak performance!
Tip #2: Change the Air Filter
We thought the air filter of your air conditioner deserved its own category. This component is incredibly valuable to the cooling process and ignoring it could spell disaster for the future of your AC and your budget. Try changing out the air filter every 1-3 months to ensure your AC runs with clean, fresh airflow. This will help mitigate many common problems that we see spring up in air conditioners.
Feel free to add this to your checklist, but make sure it’s done by an adult or someone in your family who is delicate.
Tip #3: Start Investing in Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is vital for the proper functionality of your AC. The reason why we didn’t add it to the checklist above is because it belongs in its own category, both in timeframe and importance. AC maintenance is one of the best, most cost-effective things you can purchase for your air conditioner. It allows a technician to clean, adjust, and repair your system for the season ahead.
Try scheduling this in the spring every year before temperatures get hot. Don’t be afraid to set a specific week of every year as maintenance week. Do whatever is necessary to help you remember!
