How to Buy and Maintain Your Air Conditioner

Unlike other household appliances, air conditioning is perhaps the most expensive and no doubt an absolute essentiality. Proper maintenance and timely repair of the air conditioning system in your house must therefore be of utmost concern to keep you and your family feeling cool in the midst of a scorching summer! When purchasing an air conditioner some important tips one needs to bear in mind are:

1. Energy efficiency of the air conditioner must be tested first because today's environment conscious individuals will opt for more energy saving units that means less consumption of power. Less power also means you can cut down on costs.


2. The model that you are planning to get should be one that uses eco-friendly refrigerants.


3. The area selected for installation that has a major impact on the functioning of the unit.


4. In case the air conditioning unit has not been correctly installed, the cooling will not be as expected and customers are bound to feel let down by the company.


5. Always get an expert to install the air conditioner for you since they have the necessary expertise.


6. It is better to buy your unit from reputed makers after researching reviews and customer feedbacks placed on websites about it.

Air conditioning maintenance is vital to ensure that the unit continues to function smoothly and efficiently for at least a minimum of 15 years and electricity bills are kept under a control. Some valuable tips that you can follow to keep your AC running smoothly are as follows:

1. Clean and replace if needed the furnace filter on a monthly basis particularly in the summer. This is to be done according to instructions given in the manual. The thermostat should be kept at a constant temperature so that the unit does not have to consume more power for cooling.


2. Drainage in the condensation tube must be smooth and hoses are to be leak proof.


3. Registers should be placed at a distance from curtains and furniture items.


4. The duct has to be cleaned every couple of years. Cooling coils must be cleaned and checked annually by applying water using pressure and keeping the machine's power off.


5. The compressor must be placed away from dirt and a water hose may be used to get rid of it. In winter when the machine is not required, the compressor is to be covered with a cloth to protect it from dust.


6. For window ACs panels may be removed when the machines are not needed like during winter months.


7. For those ACs that are placed in windows directly exposed to the sun, plants may be placed to provide shade but not in a way so as to obstruct the air passage.


8. Hire the services of a professional technician to examine the machine from time to time.