What are the most common air conditioner mistakes? Many people who purchase air conditioners are complete amateurs when it comes to this. If you are thinking about purchasing an air conditioner for your home, there are a few common mistakes you should avoid. The same is true if you have recently purchased an air conditioner and now want to learn how to operate it properly and avoid common mistakes that can severely damage the unit, the indoor environment and your wallet.
DIRTY FILTERS
A clogged filter is to blame for a large number of typical air conditioner issues. Some homeowners blatantly disregard their filters, leaving the same filter in for months on end, while others just forget to replace their filters. Once a month, you should inspect your filter.
The air filter in your house eliminates dust, allergies, and other contaminants from the air that circulates through the system. These lightweight cardboard-and-wire structures must be replaced regularly. After about six months, the filter becomes so clogged with dirt that air has a difficult time passing through, and the machine can no longer do its function. This not only increases dust in your home, but it also significantly reduces airflow (think: efficiency) for your air conditioning equipment.
Simply changing a filthy filter can reduce your air conditioner's energy consumption by five to fifteen percent. As a result, replace the filter at least twice a year. Remember to inspect and replace it after any highly dusty activity, such as cleaning ducting, a large demolition, or refinishing a wood floor.
NOT CHECKING ON YOUR DRAIN PIPES
Many air conditioning systems have drains that collect condensation and route it outside of the house or the washroom, preventing moisture problems. These drains are easy to overlook, yet they serve a crucial purpose. A clogged and overflowing drain is terrible news for your air conditioning system and much worse news for the flooring and walls around it, which can experience irreparable damage. So keep your drain line clean and consider snaking it with a wire once or twice a year to prevent muck from accumulating.
When you turn on your air conditioner, it decreases the humidity in the room by sucking moisture out of the indoor air. The water drops into the condensate pan as it absorbs moisture. The water should then run down the drain line or condensate drain and out of the unit.
If there is a blockage, water will back up and could harm your air conditioner and property.
SETTING TEMPERATURE TOO LOW
Some of us believe that the lower you set your thermostat, the faster your home will cool. This is not correct. Your home cools at the same pace regardless of where your thermostat is set. If you turn down your thermostat, you risk forgetting to turn it back up, wasting a lot of energy and forcing your system to work extra hard on days that are already likely to be hot.
OVERDUE MAINTENANCE
Regular maintenance allows an air conditioner to operate at peak efficiency for an extended period. Your air conditioner's filters and evaporator coils should be cleaned once a month. You may clean the equipment on your own or hire a professional to do it for you. Professionals can rapidly identify any indicators of AC failure and advise you on whether certain parts need to be replaced. Investing modest money in regular maintenance may help you prevent or at least reduce the frequency with which you hire expensive air conditioning repair services throughout the year.
IGNORING YOUR FANS
Is the weather neither hot nor humid? You could just use the fan as the air conditioning is meant to cool and dehumidify the room. At times you don’t need the cooling effect of the air conditioner. You just want the wind effect. The plus point is that you are also saving money on your electricity bill.
FINAL WORDS
The bottom line is that there's a lot to consider if you're in the market for an air conditioning unit. Your air conditioner will likely be something that you keep around for a while, so there's little sense in rushing things and making a mistake. To ensure your comfort and save money on your power bill, pay attention to these mistakes when setting up your air conditioner system.
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