Do you dread the thought of having to endure the sweltering heat during Summer because your air conditioner breaks down? Do you want to avoid the hefty costs that go with AC repair or system replacement? There is little doubt that your air conditioner plays a critical role in keeping you extra comfortable. And so there’s nothing’s worse than having a broken AC just when you need it most. And just when the money is tight. And while most folks can quickly scramble for the right solution, very few have enough sense to nip that distressing, costly AC failure in the bud. To save you a lot of discomfort and money in the long run, your AC needs a proactive you. And knowing the different ways to gauge the health of your AC is one of the best things to start.

Just like any type of equipment that normally lasts for years, we, unfortunately, normally take our ACs for granted. Until it breaks down. And more often than not, at the worst possible time. The thing is, if air conditioning is something that you can’t do without, then you have more than enough reasons to take a hard look at how you can keep that source of comfort working as best as it could and as efficiently as possible. As the cliché goes, prevention is always better than cure, and it works with our air conditioners as it does with our health. So, to keep your air conditioner in a tip-top condition, you can take to heart these better ways to know if your AC finally needs a good tune up:

More than anything, comfort is what you expect to get from an air conditioner. If you feel that it ceases to provide the same level of temperature comfort that you are used to, then something’s definitely afoot. There could be a lot of reasons for this decreased performance, but more likely it’s the wear-and-tear due to long use, or misuse in some cases.

Air conditioners are naturally energy hogs. No surprise there. But there comes a point when your electricity bill starts to spike up more than what you normally pay for despite not using any additional appliance or changing the frequency of your AC use. It will be hard to figure out at first, but if you have been using your air conditioner for years, then it’s most likely the culprit.

Be mindful of the overall state of your unit while being used. A good, working air conditioner does not leak too much and generate just enough sound when running. When your AC starts to create puddle of water from the condensate liquid and begin to become abnormally clunky and annoyingly noisy while being used, then that’s enough red flag for you right there.

Air conditioners do not only generate and give out cold air, but also help deodorize and keep the indoor air good for your health. Your AC’s filtration system is oftentimes the key to how effective the AC is in keeping the indoor air in the best quality as possible. While it’s entirely impossible for you to see how clean and safe the air that circulates inside the room where the AC unit is installed, how you feel it will tell you the real story. When the room feels oddly humid, for example, despite the AC running, then something’s wrong.

Some HVAC contractors provide remote monitoring of air conditioners as part of their packaged services or as a separate offering. It doesn’t matter how it’s being offered, really. If you bought your unit to an HVAC dealer-cum contractor, then most likely that some freebie services are offered. If your chosen route is through an HVAC dealership for your AC purchase, then make sure that system monitoring will be part of your perks.

Another option is to ask your HVAC contractor if they can install a monitoring and diagnostic solution that will enable them to remotely monitor your unit. Some of these innovative devices, like , for instance, can be integrated into any HVAC system, whether it is old or new.

Air conditioners are just similar to any sophisticated appliance. Built with and functioning through a mechanical system, ACs are prone to breakdowns for various reasons. As they age, they become overused and tend to develop vulnerabilities in their system, which consequently result to all types of malfunctions. Detecting errors as well as operational abnormalities in a working air conditioner is at times difficult. Many ill-maintained units simply breakdown for some reason. This makes preventive and predictive maintenance very important to keep your AC unit running as smoothly and as efficiently as possible. Knowing the different ways to gauge the health of your air conditioner will not only help you avoid the costly system repair or replacement but will also ensure you a longer lifespan for your unit. Because taking care of your AC means caring about your comfort, this no doubt should be an imperative task for you as a smart and conscientious AC owner.

An air conditioner is not only a source of your comfort at home, it is a big investment that’s worth keeping. And keeping your air conditioner in the best condition possible is a task that doesn’t have to fall everything on your shoulder. Sometimes, letting the professionals who has the skills, experience, and knowledge on the technicalities of the job is the best way to make things properly handled.