Repairing storm damage to the air conditioner

5 Common Cooling Mistakes Homeowners Make

by Ivan Prescott

When the weather gets hot, homeowners rely on their air conditioning units to remain cool and comfortable in the home. Any HVAC unit is costly to install, and it's important for you to take good care of your investment.

There are several common mistakes that homeowners make when using their cooling systems. Avoiding these mistakes can enable you to save on costly repairs and to improve the efficiency of your cooling system.

1. Missing Out on Routine AC Maintenance Many homeowners disregard the importance of having their AC regularly checked by a technician. Indeed, technicians do more than just repair your cooling system when it stops working. They also check the HVAC for performance issues and high energy consumption. A routine maintenance trip can uncover a problem with your AC that could have resulted in a spike in cooling costs within the home.

Don't take shortcuts when it comes to HVAC maintenance. Make sure you have your system checked at the beginning of a new season and a few times during the year.

2. Not cleaning filters

Your filters are among the first parts of the AC that fill up with dirt/debris, which reduces the efficiency of the unit. Many homeowners make the mistake of neglecting their air filters for months on end, which results in a spike in utility bills.

Make sure you clean your air filters at least once a month and replace them whenever you notice damage.

3. Keeping the AC running for too long

You may be wondering why your home is not getting any cooler on a hot summer day. As a result, you may end up keeping the AC running for too long, thinking that it will eventually cool the home. However, it is important to realize that an AC running for too long probably has a problem. A functional AC only needs to turn on for a few minutes at a time in order to cool the home and keep it at the specified temperature.

An AC that is always on could have a problem with its compressor or ductwork. Make sure you call an air conditioning repair service to inspect your unit and fix any issues experienced.

4. Interfering with the AC unit

Some homeowners tend to be overconfident in their own mechanical abilities, which makes them interfere with their cooling system. You can end up incurring hefty repair costs by interfering with your AC, especially if you're not trained in handling such appliances.

5. Delaying repairs

Some homeowners also tend to procrastinate on repairs on a faulty AC unit. Remember that operating a cooling system that is already faulty can cause you to further damage the unit and increase your utility bills.

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