One of the most essential appliances to any household is the air conditioner. It is one of the most frequently used appliances, and one of the most expensive. Unfortunately, without proper care, the air conditioner will eventually run into mechanical issues. Sometimes there is just not enough time to properly care for all of your appliances, and if that is the case, calling an air conditioner repair service is the best option. However, if you have the time to follow a few simple steps, you can easily prolong the life of your air conditioner.

1. Clean the Filter Regularly

It is suggested that the air conditioner's filter be cleaned at least once every month. Once you have located the filter by looking in your owner's manual or looking up the serial number online, all you need to do is wash the filter with water. Make sure that the air conditioner is turned off while doing this, as running the air conditioner without the filter can be problematic. Also, make sure that the filter is thoroughly dried before it is replaced in the air conditioner; otherwise some of the internal electronics can malfunction.

2. Run the Air Conditioner Regularly

There is a common misconception that leaving electronics turned off for prolonged amounts of time is better than running them in intervals. This is not the case. If an air conditioner is not run at least once a month, you risk things like rust and dust buildup inside of the actual unit. Even if it is an especially cold winter and it seems pointless to run the air conditioner, try running it at the current temperature of the room.

3. Don't Overrun the Air Conditioner

Although this may seem contradictory to the last suggestion, it exemplifies a similar principle. Just as leaving the air conditioner off for too long risks harm, leaving it on for too long risks problems as well. Try using the air conditioner in intervals of 60 to 90 minutes at a time. After around 60 minutes, in normal situations, running the air conditioner is unnecessary because it has probably already cooled the room to the desired temperature. After that point, the air conditioner is simply circulating the same air multiple times.

Keeping your air conditioner in the best possible condition is in your best interest because a healthy air conditioner is both better for the environment and saves money. Cleaning the filter regularly, running the air conditioner at least once a month, and reducing the amount of time you run the air conditioner are great ways to keep your air conditioner running normally. If this doesn't work out, the next best option is to call an air conditioner repair service, like Arlington Heating & Air Conditioning.