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The life and performance of your air conditioner relies largely on how you treat it. You can improve your air conditioner performance and extend its lifespan by taking better care of it all year long. With these basic maintenance steps, you can reduce your risk of an air conditioning repair emergency in Mansfield, TX.

Change Your Filter Regularly

There is a reason this is generally the number one tip for taking good care of your air conditioner. Changing your air filter is the simplest maintenance task in the whole house. However, a dirty ac filter is the cause of many air conditioner repair issues.

What Your Air Conditioner Filter Does

Your air conditioning filter is important not only to the performance of your air conditioner but also to the overall air quality inside your home. The air in your cooling system has to pass through the filter, which traps dust, fibers, spores, pet hair and dander, and other particles. This keeps these and other pollutants out of your interior air supply, raising the air quality.

The problem is that these particles can quickly clog your air filter. When the filter becomes obstructed, the air flow in your cooling system is restricted. This can cause your air conditioner to have to work much harder to try to keep your house comfortable. This can create serious problems in your air conditioning unit.

What Can Go Wrong When You Have a Dirty Filter

If your air filter gets so dirty that it is clogged, the fan in your air conditioner must work harder to force air through the system. This not only hinders the efficiency of your air conditioner, you can end up paying higher electricity bills. Your home will always seem a bit uncomfortable because your cooling system is overworking itself to provide what little coolness it can.

The longer your air conditioner has to work overtime trying to force air through your system, the harder it is on your machinery. If the problem persists, you could end up looking at an expensive emergency air conditioning repair.

How Often You Should Change Your AC Filter

The truth is, there is no one answer to this question. But it is easy to figure out what schedule is best for your family by following a few guidelines.

First, check your air conditioning unit’s manufacturer’s information. You can find out what your unit’s maker suggests for keeping your air filter clean. Each unit is different, so it is helpful to know whether you need to change your air conditioner once a month or once every two months.

Knowing your manufacturer’s advice will give you a baseline to start on to figure out your specific home needs. For example, if you have furry pets in your home, you may need to change your filter out more often. Also, if you or any of your family members suffer from allergies, you may find that changing your filter more often will improve the air quality and ease allergic outbursts.

Control Your Outside Vegetation

Your air conditioning unit outdoors has a lot to contend with on a daily basis. Besides the constant exposure to the elements, there are the environmental waste issues and airborne trash to hamper your air conditioner’s operation. If you want to avoid having to call for emergency air conditioning repair, you need to take control of your unit’s habitat.

One of the easiest ways to keep your outdoor unit from getting cluttered is to make sure the area around it stays clear of vegetation. Make sure to leave a two-foot perimeter between your outdoor unit and any dense foliage. In addition, be sure to check your outside air conditioning unit every week. Leaves and branches can blow over from anywhere in your yard, along with plastic bags and other trash. This will help you avoid repair needs from an overworked system.

Schedule Annual Inspection and Maintenance

You can avoid a lot of air conditioning repair issues by simply contacting your ac professional for annual maintenance. Have your air conditioning specialist do a full inspection of your cooling system every spring, so your air conditioner will be ready to go when you really need it for the long Texas summers.

By spotting potential problems before they can affect your air conditioner’s performance, your ac professional can help you keep your unit working better for a long time. Avoiding the cost of repair is well worth the cost of yearly maintenance.

Schedule Your AC Repairs Immediately

When you notice your air conditioner is not working as well as usual, don’t wait for your unit to break down before you call for professional air conditioning repair in Mansfield, TX. Your air conditioner will often give you signs that something is wrong in time to schedule regular services.

You may notice your air conditioner making odd noises suddenly. If you hear your system making a screeching, banging, thumping, rattling, or other new sound, you should call your air conditioning repair professional for help right away. They may be able to keep the problem from growing into an expensive repair or replacement job.

Have Your Outdoor Unit Cleaned Each Year

Your air conditioning repair tech can also help you avoid repair costs with an annual cleaning. While you can do your part by keeping the big clogging issues at bay, there are some things that require professional assistance.

Your air conditioning repair technician can make certain that everything, down to the tiniest vents and fins in your unit, are clear and clean. When these small areas get clogged with dirt, they can cause your air conditioning unit to overheat. To avoid costly repair problems, make sure to schedule a cleaning in the spring when you schedule your annual air conditioning inspection.

Contact us today at Minuteman Heating & Air for more information about our full line of air conditioning repair, replacement, and installation services.