AC Lesson Learned – Here we cover the basics on make your AC unite last for as many years as possible. Besides the basics covered here in this article is to schedule AC maintenance annually with your local AC experts.

Schedule maintenance every year with Day & Night Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We service the following areas in New Mexico: Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Placitas, and Corrales.

Key AC Maintenance Takeaways:

• Annual professional maintenance helps you identify minor issues before they become big ones, increases efficiency, and lengthens the lifespan of your air conditioning system.
• Changing or cleaning your filter every 1–3 months promotes strong airflow, minimizes stress on major components, and improves your indoor air quality.
• Cleaning the outdoor condenser allows your AC to expel heat and avoids overworking the compressor.
• Programmable thermostats, sealed ducts, and home insulation can minimize AC runtime.
• Tending to problems as they arise and knowing when to pull the plug can save you from expensive repairs and help you know when it’s time to replace your system.

You work hard to keep your family comfortable throughout the year. From furnaces to fireplaces and summer swimming parties in your backyard, your air conditioner continues to perform quietly behind the scenes. But when it gets hot outside, your system really kicks into gear. Just like your other hard-working appliances, regular care and maintenance helps you avoid breakdowns and sky-high electricity bills. It also ensures you enjoy every frigid dollar you spend that your AC has to offer!

Day & Night Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is thrilled to share easy and entertaining ways you can increase your AC’s lifespan. Learn how to clean your coils and when you may want to consider a thermostat upgrade. Every tip will save you money in the long run.

Schedule Regular Annual Maintenance

Once-a-year maintenance with Day & Night Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is like a reward for your AC. Our technicians will assess major components such as compressor, evaporator coils, capacitor, refrigerant charge, and more in the condenser. Parts will be lubricated, airflow optimized, and your system will be checked for any hidden leaks. The results? Bada-bing! Bada-boom! An air conditioner that runs with maximum energy efficiency.

Yearly tune-ups prevent costly repair emergencies and boost your indoor air quality. A bonus? If you ever decide to sell your home, having an AC log with regular inspections can ensure you get credit for your manufacturer’s warranty.

Change or Clean Your AC Filter Every 1–3 Months

Just as you wouldn’t walk around with a dirty face full of germs, your AC shouldn’t be polluted with dust and debris. Filters trap unwanted particles and prevent them from clogging up your AC system. When they aren’t cleaned or changed regularly, airflow is restricted. Not only will your electricity bill suffer, but the compressor will begin to work overtime.

Swap out your current AC filter every 1–3 months or clean it according to manufacturer’s guidelines. If you have washable filters, ensure the media is completely dry before reinstalling. To keep your home running efficiently, check your filter once a month if you own pets, live in a dusty climate, or run your system daily.

Keep Outdoor Unit Clean & Free of Debris

The outdoor portion of your AC is subjected to all sorts of debris: grass, dirt, pollen, leaves, you name it. When that sticks to the coil system, cooling efficiency is reduced, and your compressor must work harder to maintain cool air. Before you know it, your system runs down and you’re eating the high energy and repair costs.

Help prevent future problems by gently rinsing the coil with a garden hose once a month. Be sure to avoid using a pressurized power washer. Additionally, trim back foliage about two feet from the condenser to allow adequate airflow. Suspicious about the buildup? Hire a professional team to clean your coils. Day & Night Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers air conditioning coil cleaning in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Placitas, Corrales and surrounding areas. We’ll help with your air conditioner, so it operates much quieter and for far longer.

Check Your Indoor Vents

Your HVAC system can only blow out cool air if there is a clear path. blocked registers don’t allow cool air to distribute around your rooms, causing your system to run longer than necessary and putting stress on the equipment. Low airflow can damage your HVAC blower and decrease the lifespan of your equipment.

Check your vents every month to ensure no furniture, carpets, or curtains are accidentally covering them. If you have vents on your floor, vacuum them frequently to prevent dirt and pet hair from building up. Consider hiring a professional to check your HVAC ducts every three years. Leaky ducts can decrease efficiency and airflow.

Seal & Insulate Ductwork and Home

Failing to insulate your air ducts can send cool air into your attic, crawlspace, or uninsulated basement. Not only does this make your AC work harder to cool your home, but it can shorten the lifespan of your unit.

Hire a professional to perform a duct inspection and check for any overlooked leaks. You can also install spray foam or duct sealant to restrict airflow into unwanted rooms. In addition to duct insulation, you can reduce thermal transfer by insulating your attic, basement, or crawl space. The less cool air that escapes, the longer your AC will live.

Upgrade Your Albuquerque Home Thermostat

Want to go the extra mile? Invest in a smart thermostat. While like a programmable thermostat, these high-tech models understand your routine and will alter cooling cycles accordingly. If you’re away from home, your cooling won’t run as often to prevent cooling an empty space. Not only will your runtime decrease, but your AC will experience less wear and tear.

Smart thermostats also track humidity levels and can help your air conditioner properly distribute comfortable, dry air. Reduce the chances of mold buildup while increasing efficiency with a smart thermostat. Many models can be controlled via an app on your phone. It’s perfect if you forget to adjust your temperature before work or want to change the setting while away on vacation. Certain smart thermostats will even remind you to change your air filter or when it’s time to schedule AC maintenance.

Provide Shade & Moderate Temperature Settings

As you may have guessed, heat is not your air conditioner’s best friend. When the sun beats down directly on your condenser, your compressor is forced to work harder. More energy is consumed and your AC could wear out more quickly.

Try planting shade trees, hanging an awning, or installing a louvered screen. Remember to leave two feet of clearance around your unit for proper airflow. When you’re away from home, don’t be afraid to dial up the temperature a few notches. The less runtime your AC experiences, the longer it will last.

Another trick? Use ceiling fans at night and take advantage of cross-ventilation with open windows. You can bump that thermostat up without actually feeling warmer.

Repair Problems ASAP

You never wait for your car to break before scheduling service. When something doesn’t feel right with your air conditioner — whether it’s a strange noise, short cycling, or slight performance issue — call Day & Night Plumbing, Heating & Cooling immediately. Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Placitas, Corrales, and surrounding communities can count on us to help!

Why should you tinker with your AC system when you can leave it to the pros? From testing voltages to checking refrigerant levels and recognizing failing parts, we have you covered. Some problems may seem small, but left untreated, they can turn into very large and expensive issues. Maintenance and early repair work can prevent future headaches and extend your equipment’s longevity. Not to mention, your AC won’t break down on the hottest day of the year.

Know When It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Your AC Unit

As rewarding as it is to care for your HVAC system, sometimes throwing good money after bad just doesn’t make sense. Consider these factors when thinking about AC replacement:

Your System Is Older Than 10 Years – Old HVAC systems become less efficient, and parts are harder to come by. If your air conditioner is older than a decade, it may be time for an upgrade.

You Call for Repairs Too Often – If your service expenses are more expensive than buying a new system, it’s time to invest in new equipment.

Your System Uses R-22 or R-410Refrigerants. R2 and R410 are being phased out due to new government regulations. If your AC runs on either of these refrigerants, you’ll be required to upgrade to a new system.

Electric Bills Keep Going Up. If you haven’t upgraded the size of your air conditioner or changed your cooling habits, but your electric bill continues to skyrocket, you might need a new system.

Your Home Isn’t Cooling Evenly. Weak airflow, hot rooms, and prolonged runtime are all signs your AC can’t keep up with demand. Consider a replacement if your home isn’t cooling like it used to.

Your System Is Making a Racket. If your air conditioner is louder than usual, or you can hear the compressor/fan/condenser vibrating, it’s time to look into repair or replacement options.

You’ve Made Other Comfort Improvements. If you’ve recently installed a new furnace, heat pump, or combo heating and cooling system with an integrated humidifier, think about upgrading your air conditioner too. Replacing both means you won’t have to worry about compatibility.

Your Warranty Has Expired. Don’t wait until your system breaks to purchase a new air conditioner. Once your warranty expires, it’s usually cheaper to replace your air conditioner than get another warranty.

Replacement may be the last thing on your mind that you want to do, but if you’re experiencing several of these issues, it may be more cost-effective to buy a new air conditioner.

Day & Night Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Loves Keeping Your Cool

Ready to give your air conditioner the care it deserves? When you need AC maintenance in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Placitas, Corrales, or surrounding areas, contact Day & Night Plumbing, Heating & Cooling! Our expert technicians service the Rio Grande valley located in central New Mexico. We offer timely and professional HVAC services your family can count on.

We take pride in combining New Mexico family values with the Day & Night Plumbing, Heating and Cooling AC technical expertise. Not only will our licensed professionals come to your rescue when your equipment breaks down, but we can prevent disasters with annual maintenance. Call 505-974-5797 to schedule AC service today!