Tips For Reducing AC Wear And Tear

Air conditioners experience wear and tear just like other major appliances. AC wear and tear increases energy consumption, reduces cooling efficiency, and interferes with temperature control. You cannot avoid wear and tear, but you can reduce or slow it down. Below are some tips that help.

Maintain Efficient Cooling

Inefficient cooling overworks the AC and increases wear and tear in several ways. For example, inefficient cooling can cause:

  • The AC to run longer cooling cycles than it should
  • The AC to run short but frequent cooling cycles
  • The AC motors and fans to run faster than they should

Such effects are likely to overheat some parts of the AC, such as the motors. The moving parts will also experience increased friction. All of these increase the AC's wear and tear.

Below are tips to ensure efficient cooling:

  • Ensure the AC is of the correct size for your home
  • Replace the air filter regularly
  • Prevent air leaks and intrusions in your home
  • Place the thermostat where it reads the correct indoor temperature

Get regular professional maintenance from a qualified AC contractor in addition to the above tips.

Keep the AC Clean

Dirt increases the AC's wear and tear in three main ways. For example:

  • Dirt restricts airflow. Impaired airflow forces the AC to overwork and creates the above problems.
  • Dirt insulates the coil and impedes heat exchange. Impaired heat exchange can cause thermal damage and overwork the AC.
  • Dirt increases friction on moving parts, which accelerates wear and tear.

Clean the AC regularly to prevent dirt and debris buildup. You should also minimize the level of dirt in the house. For example, you should dust the house regularly and avoid activities that generate dust inside the house, such as mortar mixing during renovations. Lastly, use the right air filter for your AC to trap as many particles as possible.

Lubricate Relevant Parts

Proper lubrication reduces friction and overheating, accelerating wear and tear. The main parts of the AC that require lubrication are the motors. The need for lubrication is more common with older ACs than newer ones; some of the latter options have motors that don't need lubrication. Confirm with your AC manual whether your system requires lubrication.

As you can see, your maintenance efforts greatly prolong your AC's useful lifespan and maintain its efficiency. An AC contractor can help you with the maintenance. In addition, don't forget to engage an AC contractor for prompt repairs in case of breakdowns.

Reach out to local air conditioning services to learn more.


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