A well-maintained AC unit requires not only professional servicing once or twice per year but also home care such as filter changes and weed control around the AC unit. But all this work pays off in the summertime, when your unit works hard every day to keep you comfortable and protect you and your household from summer problems.

Here are four ways in which a well-maintained unit will have this protective effect.

1. Helps Reduce Chances of Heat-Related Illness

One of the biggest hazards during summertime is the risk of heat-related illness. Hot days can become even hotter inside a building, partly because windows can create a greenhouse effect and partly because asphalt roofs collect and transfer heat into the home so efficiently. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, air conditioning can help reduce chances of heat-related illness.

Unfortunately, during a heat wave, a poorly maintained AC unit may not be able to keep up with the demand for cool air. Or, in some cases, the unit could even freeze up or break down, leaving you with no cooling power. Elderly family members, young children, chronically ill individuals, and pets can all be highly susceptible to heat-related illness in these situations.

Some signs of heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke, can include:

• Dizziness or fainting
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Headache

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be serious conditions. But a well-kept, reliable AC system can keep temperatures safe and comfortable for everyone in the household.

2. Reduces Indoor Allergens

Allergens such as pollen can be a huge issue during the spring and summer months. In fact, almost 8% of Americans struggle with hay fever. The good news is that your AC unit filters all the air in your house on a regular basis.

Choosing an AC filter rated to remove allergens and making sure it’s changed more frequently than usual can result in a large reduction of the allergens present in your home. In fact, if you have allergies, it’s recommended that you change the filters once every month and a half.

3. Protects Belongings Against Heat and Humidity

In addition to protecting your family and pets, air conditioning protects your belongings. Electronics, houseplants, candles, antiques, and other belongings can suffer damage in extreme heat. And if the humidity is high, mold problems can damage clothing, furniture, and other items.

Even in an area that doesn’t have naturally high outdoor humidity, indoor air will tend to be more humid. Showers, plumbing leaks, cooking, and even humid air from breathing can raise the humidity. This can result in a higher perceived temperature.

But your AC unit can counter the effect of indoor humidity buildup. That’s because when your system cools the air, it simultaneously removes excess humidity as well.

4. Protects Against High Bills

While not dangerous to your health like heat-related illness, high cooling bills can be a real struggle for many families. If you don’t have the budget to replace your AC system with a more efficient model, you definitely need to keep the one you have in great shape. That’s because a well-maintained unit can help guard against excess energy use.

For example, keeping the AC filters clean and changing them frequently means the unit will have an easier time drawing air through the system and expend less energy while doing so. And a unit that has its evaporator coil cleaned on a regular basis will use less energy trying to exchange heat with the outdoor air than a less well-kept unit.

These are some of the ways a reliable, well-maintained AC system can help you avoid summer hazards. But you can’t expect your system to function reliably if it’s not as well cared for. If you need information on home maintenance for your AC system, or if you’d like to schedule a professional maintenance visit, call Advanced Heating & Cooling today.