3 Tips to Prevent Common Air Conditioner Breakdowns

Yearly air conditioner maintenance helps prevent breakdowns

Let’s be honest—it’s impossible to completely avoid air conditioner breakdowns. It’s a common occurrence as your system experiences wear and tear each year. However, there are a few things you can do to ward off malfunctions for as long as possible. The River City Heating & Air Conditioning team shares our top three tips to protect your system this summer.

Don’t Skip Your Annual Maintenance Appointment

Your air conditioner’s best defense is routine maintenance. This can’t-miss inspection keeps your system clean, maintains efficiency, supports clean indoor air quality (IAQ), and of course, reduces the likelihood of breakdowns. How? Because it’s an opportunity for our pros to find and fix any existing problems before they escalate and cause a failure.

Ask about our customer-favorite maintenance agreement to ensure you never miss another maintenance service again. Main benefits include priority service, no fees for after-hour emergencies, and a two-year price guarantee.

Clean or Replace Your Air Filter Regularly

Dirty air filters cause a lot more damage than you think and are often the leading cause of A/C breakdowns. They clog with dirt, dust, pet hair, and other pollutants. Without enough air moving, your system will struggle to run, you’ll feel less comfortable, and your energy bills will start to climb.

Replace your one-inch air filter roughly every three months, or earlier if you have pets or someone in your home has a respiratory condition or allergies. If you use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, clean or replace it every six months to one year. Not sure which filter you need or when to replace or clean it? Give us a call—we can make a recommendation that’s perfect for your system and comfort needs.

Keep Vents Open and Clear of Obstructions

Your air conditioner is designed to cool a certain amount of square footage, which is why it was selected to fit your home. As you close off vents or block them, your system loses its ability to function efficiently, and airflow is rerouted to open vents. This can cause a number of serious problems, including:

  • System damage that leads to a failure
  • Leaky or burst ducts and lost airflow
  • Lower efficiency and higher energy bills
  • Increased risk of mold and mildew growth
  • Potential for a dangerous carbon monoxide leak

Take a stroll through each room in your house to check the vents. And also make sure windows and doors are closed and locked tight any time your A/C is running. This will minimize air conditioning leaks and keep you more comfortable.

For All Your Cooling Needs, Trust the Go-To Guys at River City Heating

Want more reasons why you shouldn’t skip air conditioner maintenance? Or to learn how you can keep cooling costs down this summer? Read more blogs from our experts—then reach out online or call to schedule your maintenance appointment. We service all air conditioner systems, including Bryant® and other brands, with a focus on safety and efficiency.