A well-functioning air conditioner is critical to staying cool in Florida. Looking at ways to increase the lifespan of your A/C unit is essential to maximizing its efficiency and saving you money. Following a few of the tips listed below can make a substantial difference in the lifespan of your air conditioner. Reaching out to professionals to schedule an A/C tune-up each year is also recommended in order to optimize the performance of your system.
What is the Average Life Expectancy of an A/C Unit?
Typically, the average life of an A/C unit in Florida ranges between 10 and 15 years for most brands and models. Staying proactive with proper maintenance is known to be one of the most effective ways to extend the life of your A/C unit since HVAC professionals can check your unit and adjust or repair it in order to keep it working well for years.
How to Extend the Lifespan of Your A/C Unit
Knowing how to maintain and extend the lifespan of your A/C unit is critical to avoid major issues and to save you money in the long run. Fortunately, you can follow several tips to extend the life of your unit.
Regular A/C Maintenance
Regular system maintenance is one of the easiest ways to prolong your A/C unit’s life. A/C tune-ups, which should be scheduled annually at minimum, can help keep the unit working optimally. These A/C tune-up services can limit wear and tear on certain mechanical parts while making it easy for professionals to identify issues early on before they become more dire as well as more expensive.
Replace Your A/C Filter
A critical step in air conditioner maintenance is to replace the A/C filter every few months. Old or dirty A/C filters can impede air flow, forcing the unit to work harder than necessary. Over time, this can decrease its lifespan.
Keep Your A/C Unit Clean
People must keep the air conditioning unit and area around the unit clean. However, the buildup of dirt and debris on or around an outdoor unit can eventually hamper its performance and make it more challenging to keep your house comfortable.
Inspect Your Unit for Leaks
Another critical maintenance aspect is to hire a professional to perform an A/C unit inspection to check for leaks. Small leaks can escalate into significant issues, compromising your unit’s efficiency and longevity. Early detection is key.
Make Sure Your Unit Isn’t Overloaded
Overloading your A/C unit can be or become a significant issue, especially during the peak of summer. Consider supplementing your A/C unit with other cooling methods or upgrading to a more capable unit that is properly sized for your home if your current system is running constantly.
Final Thoughts
Extending the life of your A/C unit in Florida is a terrific way to save you a lot of money and stress. Staying proactive with regular maintenance can lead to big energy savings, and you are less likely to encounter any unexpected breakdowns. A professional HVAC technician should be called to inspect your air conditioner annually, at minimum, to ensure that your system is well-prepared for the weather ahead. Following the simple tips mentioned above often results in a high-efficiency unit that will last for an exceedingly long time.