Best ways to maintain your AC unit in the brutal Texas heat
AUSTIN, Texas — We're entering the time of the year when air conditioning units will be working overtime every day for the next few months.
And for people not maintaining their AC units properly, things can get expensive.
"The AC systems just get beat to death in Texas," Joshua Bronsted, a service manager at Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Electrical, said. "That takes a toll on them."
Bronstead said this is the busiest time of the year for HVAC companies – much of the time because people just aren't keeping up with preventative care.
He said a little upkeep on units can save lots of time and money in the long run.
Bronstead said some common signs to look out for if your system seems off are:
Bronstead said typical upkeep of a home's AC unit is easy and can be done by yourself.
"Washing your condenser down outside and changing filters is key," Bronstead said. "You'd be surprised at how quickly a $7 piece of cardboard can ruin a $15,000 AC system. So that and flushing drain lines with vinegar and water. That usually helps on nuisance calls like clogged drain lines, systems not cooling properly, because the condenser is dirty."
Bronstead said many people ignore problems or just wait until their system breaks down. He said it's a bad idea to do that because some parts to replace a broken AC system can sometimes cost thousands of dollars.
Bronstead recommends replacing filters once a month, which is often much cheaper. He said most energy bills come from running AC units, so keeping them working smoothly will also save money.
"Well-maintained systems can usually save you anywhere from 15% to 30% on your electric bill every month, so it's very important to have these things tuned in properly," Bronstead said.
Bronstead said someone should check your AC unit every six months to make sure it doesn't break down.
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