With heat steadily rising, you may find yourself looking for ways to manage your electricity bills. While most people have other cooling systems in their homes, it is usually not the most affordable option to combat the heat. Air conditioners aren’t only affordable; they are also very efficient when it comes to energy usage. A/Cs can fit easily into your home and are available in a wide range to accommodate all home sizes.

There are so many cooling options available on the market today, so you may be wondering why you should consider an Air conditioning unit. To help you figure out the right choice, here are 7 reasons why A/Cs are the best for you.

1. Affordable

One of the advantages of buying an A/C unit is that they are affordable. In addition to being inexpensive to purchase, they are also affordable to operate on a day-to-day basis. The overall cost of an A/C unit will, however, depend on the capacity and features that come with it. On average, a good A/C unit will cost you somewhere around $300-$500.

2. Energy Efficient

If you want your home to remain cool for a long time with minimal damage to the cost of energy, an A/C unit is your best option. To further enhance your search, look out for units that have been Energy-Star certified.

3. Easy Installation

The installation process for an A/C unit is very easy. Although the process of installation may differ from one type to the other, it is usually very straightforward and can be accomplished easily. You can decide to install your A/C yourself by following the instructions in the pack or hire an HVAC professional to help you.

4. Dynamic

A/C units can be used in so many different places in and outside your home. You can use it in a non-permanent housing, and take it along with you when you move. It can be used in rooms in your homes, bedrooms, kitchen, study, gym, theatre, etc. You can also use them in your offices as well.

5. Brands

There are so many brands of air conditioners available to you on the market today. While some of these brands may be more efficient and have longer life than others, it is important to know that they all have the same function, which is to cool a space. Some of the popular A/C brands include Mitsubishi, Daikin, etc.

6. Features

There are so many features that come with A/Cs these days. Some of these features might seem frivolous to you, but others have the need for them. These features also range from one A/C type to the other. Some popular features include timer, filter type, fan speed, air direction control, remote, etc.

7. Easy Fit

A/Cs do not take up so much space in your room. While some A/Cs are bigger than others, they are typically designed to take as little space as possible in a room. Whether you live in a small apartment or a mansion, an A/C will take the least amount of space possible.

Having an air conditioner is a must especially during the summer period. As important as this fixture is, a lot of homeowners do not understand how they work. Having a little bit of knowledge about your A/C can help you perform some preventive air conditioning maintenance practices that keep your unit working optimally. Here are a few tips that will help you extend the life of your A/C.

1. Clear out the Condenser Unit

The condenser unit of your A/C should be cleaned regularly. It is usually outside your home, and end up most times gathering debris, dirt and any other particles, which are then blown by breeze around your house. To clear the unit out, use a coil cleaner, flush the coil out and allow it to dry. Finally, you can clean the fins of the condenser with a brush.

2. Check the Evaporator

From time to time, take a look at your A/C’s evaporator. You can find it above the furnace area which is known as the plenum. If you can access the evaporator by yourself, ensure that you clean it out regularly. Experts’ advice that you perform a thorough cleaning of your evaporator, at least once a year. This will help extend the life of your A/C. To clean the evaporator, remove the foil from the front of the plenum, remove the screen or buts and lift the plate off. Use a damp cloth or rag to wipe away the dirt from it, as well as any other build up from the bottom side of the evaporator. You can also use a bush to do this.

3. Observe the Freon Level

What cools your home in an A/C is called the Freon. Any unit that lacks this component will not be able to cool your home. Ensure that your unit has enough Freon in it. If you feel that there is a problem with the Freon level of your A/C, contact a professional technician to help you check it out.

4. Clean or Replace the Filter

At the beginning of every summer, make sure you remove the grill of your A/C. You can clean it or replace it entirely. Also, make sure you check it at least once every month. If you stay in an area that is elevated and receives more than normal amount of wind, sand or dust, you should clean and replace your filters more frequently than others would.

5. Clean the System’s Fan

Your A/C has fans that cool it while it is working. Take a look at the fans and see if they are dirty. If there are any residues or dust on it, or if the blades are askew, fix it before it becomes a problem. Open the cabinet to access the fan, and then use a damp cloth to clean it. If the blades are loosened, tighten them in place. Also, if the fan has oil ports, drop a few drops of non-detergent motor oil in them at the beginning of every summer. This will help system operate at its greatest efficiency.

Look After Your Homes Air Conditioner

One of the main reasons why the domestic air conditioner packs up is because homeowners simply don’t notice the warning signs.

As a homeowner, once you know what to look for, it’ll help stop further damage in the future. An air conditioner is expensive to replace, so it’s important that you look after it, so that it lasts for as long as possible.

What Are the Main Signs of a Failing Air Conditioner

It is really not that difficult to tell when your air conditioner might be failing. Most people notice the signs sometimes, but then they usually think it’s in their head. Most people just wait until the air conditioner packs up before calling for it to be repaired.

Outlined below are 5 signs that your homes air conditioner might be failing.

1. Your Air Conditioner is Not Cooling Enough

You may find out that your A/C unit is not cooling enough, even when you put it on full blast. This is usually one of the tell-tale signs that your unit is in need of service or repairs. It can mean that the unit’s compressor has failed, or that the Freon level is too low.

A qualified technician will help you identify the cause, and fix it before any further damage your unit.

2. Weak Air Flow from Your A/C Unit

Your unit might be in need of service & repairs if you notice weak or poor air flow through the vents. This may also mean that the compressor of your air con unit is failing. If you notice that some rooms are receiving cold air and others aren’t, the problem might be from the duct, which means your unit needs to be repaired.

To fix this problem doesn’t cost that much, but the resulting damage can cost you so a lot more.

3. Leakage or Moisture Around Your Air Con

When there is moisture or leakage around the area where your air conditioner is, might be an indication of a problem. Moisture or leakages can be as a result of either the refrigerant leaking which can pose serious problems to the home & your family, or the drain tubes that dispose of the unit’s condensation are broken or blocked.

This problem can be tackled easily, so address it as soon as you notice it.

4. There an Odor coming from Your A/C Unit

If you start to notice strange or foul smells when your air conditioner is turned on, it most likely means that your air conditioner’s insulation wire has burnt out.

If you notice a musty smell, it most likely means that a mold has grown inside your air conditioner, which must be taken out immediately, to prevent irreparable damage to your air con unit.

5. Your Air Con Sounds Odd/ Different

When you hear certain strange sounds coming from your air conditioner, it means that there is a problem somewhere. Grinding, squealing or grating sounds from your air conditioner might be a sign that you need to repair the whole A/C unit because there is something seriously wrong with the unit.

Failure to service the unit as soon as you notice any strange sounds will eventually result in a total breakdown, which will cost you a lot more to fix or replace.

Contact the Aircon Advisory Centre

Have you recently noticed some signs that your homes air conditioner might be failing? Then, you should call one of our qualified technicians at the Air Conditioning Advisory Center to have it checked out. You just might be saving the life of your A/C Unit.