The first and most basic step to take to prolong your air conditioning units life is to change the filter. You ought to change it whenever it gets filthy. Depending on the use, that could vary from every 3 to 6 months. There are some filters out there which can last up to a year San Diego California Air Conditioner Services . Ask someone in the hardware shop for more tips.
Once a year, be sure that you inspect the evaporator coil located inside the air handler to make certain there is no dust build up. When the weather begins to cool, you ought to inspect the outside of the air conditioning unit. You ought to check around the unit and make certain there is no debris on the surface of the condenser, as that will stop airflow. Also, you ought to check in between the fins of the condenser to see that its not clogged with dead bugs or pollen. Spraying the condenser with a hose will usually suffice to get rid of all the particles.
Although many air conditioning units today make use of direct drive motors, it is a great idea to inspect the belt in the air handler. You may have to change it. If no change is needed, you may only have to oil the motor bearings once a year.
It is also great to inspect the contactors and other electrical parts; many of them are located inside the condensing unit. The contactor runs the compressor, and the contacts get pitted and need to be changed occasionally. Different manufacturers utilize different kinds of contactors, so check the handbook to discover what kind you need.