Air conditioners are common in most homes. While the units are common, most people don’t know how to live with them safely. To help you out, here are tips on how to live with your air conditioner:

Let a HVAC contractor handle them

It’s common for homeowners to want to fix their air conditioning units. While there are some areas that you can fix on your own, there are others that require specialized skills of HVAC contractors.

It’s recommended that you maintain the units for them to last for long. One of the most common air conditioner maintenance procedures you have to do is cleaning the air filter. While you can clean the filter, it’s usually recommended that you allow the contractor to replace it. In addition to buying the wrong unit, you can also easily injure yourself replacing the air filter.

Clean the air ducts in your home

Cleaning the air ducts not only increases the efficiency of the air conditioner, it also eliminates mold growth and dust buildup. In addition to cleaning the ducts in your current home, you should also clean the ducts in your new home. You also should clean the ducts if you have just renovated your house. Cleaning the ducts is of major importance if the renovation involved removal of asbestos or lead-based paint.

By cleaning the ducts you remove debris before you begin using your AC. This ensures that no harmful air circulates in your home.

Hire a HVAC technician to repair your AC

Just like any other appliance in your home, the AC will develop problems. It can be making noises, the thermostat may not be working, or it could be overheating. Regardless of the problem that your appliance may be having, avoid repairing it if you don’t have the necessary skills. To avoid complications, hire an experienced HVAC technician to repair it.

While you should hire a professional, ensure that you hire the professional only when necessary. Before you contact the technician, first check whether the appliance is getting power. Also check if the thermostat has batteries. Most AC units have water safety switch that stop them from working if water can leak. Check for water in a pan and if there is flush it out of the drain line.

Conclusion

These are tips on how to safety live with your air conditioner. It’s estimated that over 15% of consumer product accidents happen when homeowners try fixing the appliances. To avoid damaging your appliance and injuring yourself, use your common sense. If something seems dangerous, don’t do it—hire an AC repair professional to do it.