As a homeowner, there are a lot of things you have to stay on top of. Not only do you need to make sure you’re paying your bills every month, you need to make sure things like your plumbing, heating and air conditioning actually work. However, it can be tough to keep up with all that when you’ve got so many jobs to do. Understanding air conditioners and air conditioner repair is a great way to save yourself time and money on home maintenance. If you want to know more about the AC in your home, here are some basics to get you started.

Air Filters

The first and most basic thing you need to understand if you want to take good care of your air conditioner is that the air filter needs to be replaced on a regular basis. All air conditioners create cool air inside the unit which is then sent to your home. To make sure that air is clean when it gets inside, an air filter is used to remove contaminants. Beyond helping keep the air clean, clean air filters also reduce the likelihood of expensive repair calls by promoting airflow.

As a general rule, you should change your air filter at least once every 6 months if you live alone. If you have a family, you should change your air filter every 90 days or so. If you’ve got a family and pets, you need to step it up to changing your filter every 60 days for best results.

Keeping Things Clean

One of the best ways to avoid expensive air conditioner repairs is have your AC unit cleaned every once in a while. As odd as it might sound, the general cleanliness of your air conditioner has a big effect on how smoothly it runs and how well it cools your home. Every time you have an HVAC professional do maintenance, make sure they clean your air conditioner.

The evaporator and condenser coils in your AC unit at the most likely areas for dirt to build up. These coils are responsible for turning refrigerant and warm air into cool air, so it’s crucial that you keep them clean. You also need to make sure the area around your AC unit is clean to ensure proper airflow. Lastly, you need to have the condensate drain line cleaned out on a regular basis to keep it from getting clogged up. Simply having your unit cleaned can save you tons of money on air conditioner repairs.

Seasonal Maintenance

If you’re serious about avoiding problems that can lead to costly air conditioner repairs, you need to schedule seasonal HVAC maintenance every year. This maintenance isn’t just important in terms of preventing problems, it also gives your HVAC technician a chance to take a closer look at your air conditioner to see if there’s anything wrong with it.

As far as when you should have seasonal maintenance done, professionals agree that fall and spring are the best times. The last thing you want is to have to call an air conditioner repair expert to get your AC fixed in the middle of the brutal summer heat. By having maintenance done in the off-season, you’re ensuring your HVAC system will be ready for the seasons when you need it most.

The Importance of Your Thermostat

Most people don’t think about how important all the different components of an HVAC system are, but even your thermostat plays an important role. If you’ve got an old analog thermostat with a basic dial, you could be wasting money and making your AC work too hard every summer. Part of taking good care of your air conditioner is making sure your thermostat is giving it the right instructions.

Nowadays, you can find tons of great digital thermostats without having to spend a lot of money. These thermostats are much more accurate than their analog counterparts, plus they allow you to set the temperature to an exact number instead of a general range. Since your air conditioner will only turn on when your home needs a little more cool air, it won’t overwork itself and you won’t have to pay for air conditioner repairs as often. You can even find smart thermostats that allow you to change programming settings and set the temperature from your smartphone.

Common AC Problems

Understanding common air conditioner problems is a good way to know when to call a Rockwall, TX, air conditioner repair expert. The longer you allow a problem to persist, the more damage it’s likely to do. If you notice any of these problems, call a professional right away.

If your air conditioner is blowing warm air, chances are you’ve got a bad air filter clogging things up. A lack of airflow makes your AC overwork itself and can even cause it to stop blowing cold air. This could also be caused by low refrigerant.

A leaking air conditioner could be a problem with the condensate drain line or drain pan, or it could be a refrigerant leak. The best way to figure out what kind of leak you’ve got is to have an air conditioner repair professional take a look at it. If it’s a refrigerant leak, you definitely don’t want to deal with it on your own.

Call a Pro

At the end of the day, there’s only so much you can do to keep your air conditioner in good shape. There comes a time when your best course of action is to call a professional and let them do the work.

Lucky for you, K&S Heating and Air of Rockwall, TX, makes taking care of your AC easy. We can handle everything from air conditioner repairs to installation and maintenance, so all you have to do is sit back and relax. If you need a little air conditioner maintenance done to get your AC ready for the summer, call K&S Heating and Air today.