It would be great if air conditioners only broke down during the spring when it’s mild outside (or if they didn’t break down at all!), but the truth is that breakdowns almost always occur during hot summer days when you need your system the most. This can cause homeowners to panic as the temperatures rise in their homes and their air conditioners are not able to come to the rescue. We want to help you avoid this hot, sweaty, and annoying problem, so today we’re going to talk about eight ways you can prevent an air conditioner breakdown this summer!
8 ways to prevent an air conditioner breakdown this summer
- Keep your filter clean. Running an air conditioner with a dirty air filter is one of the top reasons why cooling systems break down, and we see it happen time and time again. That’s why checking and/or changing your filter every month will significantly lower the chances of your system breaking down. Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning makes it easy to change your filter monthly by providing free email reminders (sign up at the bottom of our homepage) as well as an online filter store that will deliver filters right to your door.
- Schedule a tune-up ASAP. If you haven’t yet scheduled an air conditioner tune-up this year, now is the time to do it. Along with changing your filter, scheduling a tune-up is one of the absolute best ways to avoid breakdowns this summer. That’s because we’ll perform important maintenance tasks and take care of issues with your system so that your air conditioner is in the best shape possible to take on the summer heat.
- Check for signs of water leaks. Whenever you change your air filter, take a quick scan of the floor around your air conditioner. Condensate drain lines can sometimes get clogged and cause water to leak on and around your system, which can lead to a breakdown. If you notice any leaks, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning so we can professionally unclog the drain.
- Don’t close any of your air vents. Some people think it’s a good idea to close their home’s air vents in unused rooms. This is a bad idea because it can throw your system’s air balance out of whack and lead to operational issues that can cause a breakdown. Keep all of your home’s air vents open and free of obstructions to avoid these problems.
- Cut the grass and trim bushes near your condenser unit. For your outside condenser unit to properly breathe, the area surrounding it should be clear. You can avoid problems with your outdoor unit by cutting the grass around it and trimming nearby bushes so that the unit has at least a few feet of breathing room.
- Don’t ignore problems. If you suspect that something is wrong with your air conditioner, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning right away. The longer you wait to have an issue inspected, the more serious the problem will become and the more likely it will lead to a full system breakdown and/or expensive repairs.
- Don’t overwork your system. The harder your air conditioner has to work, the more likely it is of overheating and break down. You can help avoid this by using reasonable thermostat settings, especially when it’s extremely hot outside. In addition, never shut your system completely off. If you do, your air conditioner will have to work extremely hard to cool your home back down when it’s turned back on, which might lead to a breakdown.
- Replace your system if it’s old. Old air conditioners are much more fragile than new and high-efficiency systems, and you simply can’t rely on an air conditioner that is reaching the end of its operating life. If you want to avoid the inevitable breakdown, be proactive and replace your system now before summer gets into full swing.
If you have any questions about how to prevent an air conditioner breakdown this summer, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, your St. Louis air conditioning contractor. We provide service all over the St. Louis area, including towns like St. Charles, Wentzville, and Winghaven, MO.
photo credit: anitacanita via photopin (license)
