With Florida’s predictable sunshine and heat, it’s easy to assume local property owners have cooling their homes and businesses down to an art. The truth is even seasoned Florida natives may make small air conditioning mistakes that lead to significant impacts on their home or business cooling costs.
Saving money without sacrificing comfort doesn’t have to be a mystery. In this blog, the experts at ABS Air Conditioning Company talk about the most common mistakes property owners should avoid making with their air conditioning systems.
To learn more or ask about AC repair in Wesley Chapel by ABS, reach out by telephone today.
#1: Buying the Wrong Unit Size
One of the most common air conditioning mistakes you can make is buying the wrong AC unit size for a given building. Often, this happens because you find a deal or discount on an AC or HVAC unit or do not consult with an HVAC expert before buying.
HVAC experts can guide you during the selection and purchase processes, as well as perform skilled installation services. These trained professionals have the experience to know what unit sizes and models will work best in a commercial or residential building, no matter the size.
#2: Using Incorrect Temperature Settings
Another mistake many make with air conditioning stems from assuming a lower temperature setting on a thermostat will make an air conditioning unit cool a space faster. This common misconception can result in uncomfortably cool air, higher energy bills, or even damaged air conditioning systems.
If you find yourself adjusting your air conditioning thermostat to a lower temperature setting because your indoor space isn’t reaching the desired temperature, your system may be at fault. Schedule an inspection with a reputable HVAC company as soon as possible to diagnose the problem and find the best solution.
#3: Neglecting the Air Filter
Many people assume that forgetting to replace the air filter in their HVAC systems or AC units is no big deal. This couldn’t be further from the truth. A neglected air filter remains the most common air conditioning mistake you can make, resulting in higher electricity bills, increased need for repairs, and poor indoor temperature control.
An air filter’s job is to remove debris, dust, allergens, and other contaminants from the air as it passes through an AC unit or HVAC system. Left unchanged, these lightweight filters will clog. A dirty filter reduces the airflow in these systems, making them work harder to cool indoor spaces properly. This added stress increases unit run times, adding to electricity bills and increasing the risk of part and unit failure.
To prevent this, you need to replace the air filters in your HVAC or AC unit every three to six months or as needed. Households with pets or family members with allergies or respiratory issues may want to replace AC filters more often. For help replacing an older filter or selecting a new one, reach out to HVAC experts today.
#4: Poor Unit Upkeep
Because AC units and HVAC systems operate in the background, they can be easy to forget. Unit neglect is another common mistake some people make regarding their home or business air conditioning needs.
As with any home appliance or convenience, regular maintenance helps keep air conditioning units and HVAC systems operating efficiently. With many indoor climate control systems, properly cleaning fins, condenser coils, drains, and other components helps prevent performance issues and costly repairs.
Additionally, it’s essential for people who live in colder climates to adequately winterize their AC units each year. Winterizing helps protect these systems from water and rust damage, debris, ice, and more.
To get recommendations for winterizing your AC unit, reach out to ABS Air Conditioning Company today.
#5: Using Outdated Thermostats
While many older HVAC and AC systems still work well, their current counterparts are most likely more energy efficient. This includes thermostat technology, which has made many advances in recent years to help homeowners reduce energy costs and better control their indoor environments.
Check with HVAC experts to see if a thermostat upgrade could reduce your home or business energy costs.
#6: Not Scheduling Inspections
An important part of the upkeep of any major home or business appliance includes inspections. Air conditioning units and HVAC systems are increasingly complex networks of many functioning parts. Trained professionals can thoroughly check these systems for any signs of wear and tear or damage, preventing potentially costly repair bills before they disrupt your life or business.
#7: Leaving Drain Lines Uncleaned
Drain lines are less visible than fins and coils, making them an oft-neglected part of any air conditioning or HVAC system. Drains take water away from critical components of an AC system, collecting it for eventual evaporation. When these drains become clogged, water backs up into the system, causing freezing, damage, or complete system breakdowns.
Clean drains and drain lines of debris or clogs frequently to reduce coil freezing and other common AC problems.
#8: Avoiding Regular Maintenance or Replacement
Many property owners avoid completing regularly scheduled maintenance due to the cost. Over time, neglected AC units and HVAC systems break down, resulting in costly repair bills or forced unit replacements. When compared to the cost of regular inspections, filter replacements, and general upkeep, these emergency repair and replacement costs are significantly higher.
Though it seems counterintuitive, it also pays for homeowners to consider completely replacing their HVAC or AC units after a specific number of years. As today’s indoor climate control technology becomes increasingly more energy efficient, you stand to save significant amounts on heating and cooling costs by upgrading older systems.
Avoid Common Air Conditioning Mistakes By Trusting The Experts
To learn more about how to avoid common air conditioning mistakes and cool your home or business more efficiently, reach out to ABS Air Conditioning Company. Contact us today at (813) 933-1000 for Tampa’s top-rated air conditioning services.
