Some Common AC Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

A good HVAC professional lets you know about the type of routine maintenance you should do to keep your air conditioner in good working order. These small maintenance tasks help ensure that you won’t need to frequently call for repairs or have your AC replaced prematurely. But sometimes maintenance mistakes are made. Here are some of them.

Not Changing the Filter Regularly

HVAC pros can’t stress regular filter replacement strongly enough. Filters not only keep the air that circulates through your house clean, but they also keep debris from flowing back into the air conditioner itself and damaging it. Even if this didn’t happen, your AC would need to work harder to keep your home comfortable. Eventually, the system fails before it should.

Not Calling an HVAC Professional for Troubleshooting

HVAC pros recommend that you have your system checked twice a year, once before the heating season and again before the temperature starts dropping. This helps technicians find problems and fix them before they become large and expensive. If there’s nothing wrong with the system when they check it, you’ll also benefit from peace of mind. Don’t let your HVAC system go for years without professional preventive maintenance.

Neglecting the AC Coils

Cleaning the AC coils might be a job you’d leave to a professional, but they usually just need to be cleaned out with a garden hose. You should also make sure no debris accumulates around the unit and avoid planting shrubs or flowers closer than two or three feet. Be especially mindful of the coils if you haven’t cleaned the filter in a while. The dirt and debris from a neglected filter can enter the coils and clog them.

Placing Furniture Over the Vents

Placing furniture over the air vents blocks them and makes the AC system work harder than it should. When this happens, your energy bills may spike, and your system may not last as long as it should.

Wrong Use of the Thermostat

Improper use of the thermostat is another common AC maintenance mistake. This can begin when the thermostat is installed. It shouldn’t be placed in a room that gets hot, such as the kitchen, or in direct sunlight. This causes the thermostat to misread the temperature and makes your air conditioner strain to cool down your house.

Get in Touch With Our HVAC Pros for AC Maintenance

You want your HVAC system to run well and for a long time. To ensure this happens, scheduling regular maintenance is crucial. If you need AC maintenance tips or service in Berkeley, CA, don’t wait to call our HVAC pros at LJ Kruse.