Air conditioning is a wonderful thing. That is until it does not perform as it should. Then it can be a real pain. Here are a few things to help keep your system running properly.
Things to do yourself
Change the filter regularly.
It is recommended that you change the filters in either window units or central units at least once a month. If you check the filter of your air conditioner and you can not see light through it when you hold it up, then you need to change it. If this happens more than once a month, change it more than once a month. For my household a filter can last a month.
Keep air flowing through!
Keep all trees, bushes, structures away from at least three sides of an outside central unit. This is because they block air flow through the unit and can cause them to give problems.
Clean, clean, clean!
Whether you have an central unit or a window unit, make sure you clean the small groove like vents that the air flows through on the back of the window unit as well as on the sides of the central unit. This can easily be done with a brush and water hose.
Have them serviced at least once a year.
If you have a central unit it is a great idea to have it checked in the spring for any leaks that may have developed through the wintertime.
Turn it on, even when snow is on the ground.
Before you click off thinking that I am crazy, hear me out.
Make sure that you turn on your air conditioner and let it run a for just a little while, throughout the winter months. This is to help keep it loosened up for when spring comes. I even do this in my cars.
In closing
If you take a few precautionary steps, then your unit should give you many years of wonderful service. Remember the old saying. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!