text: Nowadays, more homeowners are beginning to take pride in making their homes more sustainable. One of the most important home appliances to care for is your AC system. Maintaining your air conditioner can keep your home running smoothly, keep energy bills low, and help you maximize your time with a fully functioning AC unit. Following these six tips to increase your air conditioner’s lifespan can ensure you spend your future summers in cool and comfortable air.
  Upgrade to a More Efficient System
  Having an inefficient AC unit is an easy way to have high energy bills while also putting your unit at risk of failing sooner. The weaker your unit is, the more it has to work to cool different parts of your home. The older your system is, the harder it becomes to maintain your air conditioner effectively without it running out of steam.
  Upgrading to an HVAC unit with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating of 16 or higher can ensure you get a longer working life out of your investment while also taking advantage of key features like variable speed handlers and two-stage compressors.
  Change Your Air Filter
  Homeowners typically overestimate the length of time between changing the filters on their air conditioners. One of the easiest tips to increase your air conditioner’s lifespan is to change your filter every 30-90 days — preferably sooner in harsh weather conditions. A clogged filter reduces airflow and causes the entire system to work harder to push air through your home.
  If you really want to take it a step further, consider a whole-house air filter system installation to help take the load off your air filter. The more attention you pay to your air filter and your home’s air quality, the easier it becomes to maintain your air conditioner and keep it operating at peak efficiency.
  Upgrade Your Thermostat
  Smart thermostats are a great way to have an efficient HVAC system at the push of a button. They can adapt to your needs and adjust your home temperature based on your typical routine or different occupancy hours. With smart thermostats, you can even adjust temperatures from anywhere with your smartphone, making it easier to manage your unit on the go. Look no further than a smart thermostat as one of the simplest and easiest tips to increase your air conditioner’s lifespan.
  Keep Your Condenser Clean and Protected
  Your condenser is a part of your outdoor unit and is used to release heat from the air in your home and transform the refrigerant back into a liquid. A dirty condenser unit can potentially trap that released heat or build up pressure that causes your air conditioning system to stop working.
  Due to the outdoor elements — such as leaves, branches, shrubs, rain, and wind — your condenser can clog and suffer major damage. It’s especially important to cover the unit in the winter so it’s ready for the cooling season. You can even use a wet-dry vacuum to suck up debris on the exterior of the unit. If you know you haven’t kept your condenser clean, consider getting it serviced by an experienced professional to help maintain your air conditioner.
  Don’t Make Your Unit Work Too Hard
  While efficient cooling systems do well on their own to handle your home, you can make the process much easier by reducing their workload. Giving your system rest on days when you won’t be home or if you’re on a family vacation — this is a great tip to increase your air conditioner’s lifespan. Set your unit to a higher temperature when you’re at home so it won’t have to work as hard to keep your home cool. You can also install a ceiling fan to give you more time to rest your air conditioning unit without immediately getting sweaty and uncomfortable.
  Schedule Regular Maintenance
  As a certified HVAC company, we speak for many homeowners when we say that none of the above tips to increase your air conditioner’s lifespan work well if you aren’t getting regular maintenance. Without servicing your unit, you risk letting minor problems fester and form larger issues. You can also care for important system parts to keep them running smoothly. If you haven’t already, reach out to your local trusted HVAC company and ask them to look at your air conditioning unit.
  An Extra Tip? Service Your Unit With HVAC Professionals
  Maintenance that isn’t done right is as good as getting no maintenance at all. Calling an expert technician from Magnolia Companies is the best way for residents looking for HVAC maintenance in Washington D.C. to keep their systems running smoothly. Maintaining your air conditioner and living comfortably throughout the hottest summer days is as easy as reaching out to Magnolia today!