Have you ever had a huge air conditioning repair bill? These can be quite the hit to the wallet, and it makes sense that you’d want to reduce the cost of your air conditioning repair as much as possible. There are ways that you can reduce the overall repair costs of your air conditioner. Here are a few ways that you can do that.
Proper Maintenance
Yes, getting professional maintenance for your air conditioner will cost a bit of money. But it should save you more in repair costs in the long run. That’s because professionals can prevent problems from ever popping up in the first place. And, by finding minor things that need repair, they prevent those minor problems from turning into huge repairs down the line. Thus, you’ll save on repair costs in the long run.
Clean or Replace the Filter
An air conditioning filter that is too dirty doesn’t just pump debris back into your air. It also causes strain on the air conditioner. It reduces airflow and can let harmful particles into the sensitive machinery. So, it is important to either clean your reusable filters or replace your non-reusable filters every few months.
Exactly how often you should do this depends on your filter and the kind of debris and dust your home generates. Homes with pets, for example, may need to change their filter as often as every two months.
Know When to Replace the AC
If you keep getting huge repair bills on your air conditioner, it may simply be time to replace it. When an air conditioner gets old, it will keep needing repairs no matter what you do. There’s no point in waiting for every single part to break. Instead, just replace it upfront. Hopefully, you’re working with an HVAC technician who thinks ahead and will suggest replacement when they suspect that you’ll have to make multiple repairs over the next few years.
Work Your Air Conditioner Less
Air conditioners that run all of the time will break down and need more repairs than those that aren’t working as much. Turning up your thermostat temperature can be good for your air conditioner and your utility bill. However, getting reduced air conditioner bills may not be worth reduced comfort for you. In that case, you can work on making your home better insulated and reducing the amount of heat that can come in from outside.
Here are a few things you can do to give your air conditioner a break:
- Close the blinds so that sunlight doesn’t heat your home
- Close windows and doors
- Refresh dried out caulking around windows and doors
- Use the oven only when things have cooled off in the evening
- Add new, better insulation to your attic or walls
If you’re not sure what will make the most impact in your home, ask your HVAC professional where they think your insulation weaknesses are.
Choose the Right Replacement
Some air conditioner models last longer than others. When you do end up replacing your air conditioner, be sure that you choose a quality air conditioner model that is more likely to last longer and need fewer repairs. Your commercial HVAC professional should be able to help you choose.
