Being an adult seems to suggest that you know everything about your house. That just isn’t realistic. Unless you studied to become a plumber, electrician, or an HVAC expert, there are likely parts of your home that you just don’t understand. That’s okay! There are experts who can handle those areas of your home for you. That being said, there are a few main aspects of owning an AC unit that you should avoid doing. This article will discuss five AC mistakes that can end up costing you in the long run.
Not Having an AC Unit
One of the very first mistakes that you can make is not having an AC unit at all. You can quickly look up “free HVAC estimates near me” to find a service who can get you started with having an HVAC unit installed quickly. The biggest reason you need one, besides actually being comfortable in your own home, is your home’s value.
Homes that don’t have an HVAC unit installed and ready to be used don’t sell well. If they do sell, then it’s at a smaller price than the sellers likely wanted. This is because HVAC units are more or less expected in homes in today’s world. HVAC units are no longer a privilege. They’re a simple expectation.
Not Changing the Air Filter
Another big mistake that many homeowners make is not regularly changing out their air filters. This should be done at least twice a year. The transitional seasons of fall and spring are usually the best times to have the filter changed out. Those filters become clogged with dust and pollutants over time. If you leave those filters inside of the unit, then you’re basically pumping contaminated air into your home.
It also makes the unit run a lot less efficiently. With restricted airflow, the unit has to work harder and longer. This can wear it down significantly over time. Considering how easy it is to switch out the filter, this is a circumstance that just shouldn’t happen.
Never Cleaning Coils
The coils in your unit are responsible for absorbing the heat in your home. Over time, they can become layered with grime and dust. This makes their ability to absorb a lot less efficient. In turn, this makes the unit less efficient. If the coils are left untreated and uncared for long enough, they can eventually break. If you’re looking at how to reduce a cooling system replacement cost, then one of the first steps that you need to take is cleaning the coils.
This can be as simple as spraying them with a hose outside. It’s also not a bad idea to check on the coil after a storm. The debris from the storm can sometimes become clogged in the coils as well.
Changing Thermostat Temperature Constantly
You may have asked the question, “how much is a/c repair?” If you are cringing at the cost, then you need to take preventive steps to ensure that your unit runs for as long as possible. One of those steps is to set a temperature on your thermostat and keep it there. A common myth that needs to be put to bed is that you save money when you turn up the temperature for your AC whenever you go to work. This is false.
Your AC unit is actually used a lot less when you keep the temperature at the same level throughout the day. When you set your temperature at a higher degree when you leave, the house becomes a little warmer. When you inevitably return home from work, you lower the temperature again to cool the house. This makes the AC unit run longer and harder than it needs to. If you had left the temperature at the same degree, the unit would only need to be on for a few minutes in order to cool the house.
Wrong AC Size
One last mistake is choosing a unit that is too small. You need a unit that is able to cool the house without working too hard. Each unit can cool down a certain amount of cubic feet. If your home is larger than what that unit can cover, then it has to work faster and harder to cool the home. This can make it break down quickly and wear out faster. Speak with a professional to determine what size of AC unit is best for your home.