Due to the dramatic increase in refrigerant and equipment costs, it is important to evaluate what manner of things you should or should not do regarding your air conditioner.
You want to avoid falling prey to some air conditioner repairmen who are only interested in the contents of your wallet at any cost.
Should your air conditioner fail and you don't know any contractor you can contact, there is no need to panic; learn to follow this simple procedure and you will be glad you did.
If you have friendly neighbors, that should be your first stop, talk to them and find out what they normally do when they encounter such challenges.
The other alternative is to check your local yellow pages to learn who can be hired.
However, you must tread with care since not all companies that make television ads are necessarily reputable.
You must practice patience and avoid running to replace any parts since the first heater repairman who came to your house says so.
While it's true that things don't last forever, there are millions of homeowners who spend money unnecessarily as a result of dishonest or even incorrect diagnoses simply because the technician said a part cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
If the technician tells you this regarding your new air conditioner, it is always prudent to get a second or third opinion.
Sometimes a minor repair could solve the problem and save you thousands of dollars.
One of the main problems with air conditioners is dirt and, as such, it's important to ensure yours is clean.
Simply turn off power to the air conditioner, and using your garden hose, try to remove as much dirt, seeds, leaves and debris as you possibly can.
Do this on a regular basis especially during the cooling season.
Avoid running your lawn mower very close to the AC since the grass clipping it discharges can easily get into the coils.
Dirt clogs the coils and reduces the air flow, raising pressure inside thereby making the compressor work harder.
The result is a shorter life for the compressor and reduced AC efficiency.
Most AC manufacturers recommend a minimum distance between your air conditioner and vegetation, with distances ranging from 12 to 18 inches on the lower side to 5 feet.
Ensuring good air flow across the evaporator coil on the furnace is necessary if your AC is going to work well.
The air filter should be changed monthly since a dirty one causes the coil to ice over or worse still, the refrigerant ends up going back to the compressor resulting in failure.
Also, clean the drain line to avoid clogging it with water which could end up damaging the furnace.
Last but not least, while it's a good thing to try avoiding unnecessary air conditioner repairs and save some money, you must avoid trying to fix anything on your own.
Air conditioners are complex and one needs specialized training, equipment and tools to make an accurate diagnosis and repair.
You must avoid any mistakes that could lead to serious injury or even death from electric voltages.