Investing in real estate can be an excellent way to earn extra income, but owning a rental property isn't as "passive" an activity as it's often advertised. Keeping your property in good shape and fit for occupation means staying on top of maintenance, and there's nowhere that's more true than with your HVAC system.

While many tenants now expect central air conditioning in rental units, many landlords may not know the importance of maintaining these systems. Staying on top of your unit's AC system is crucial to minimize long-term operating costs and avoid expensive repairs. If you're unsure where to start with AC maintenance in your rental property, check out these three essential considerations.

Mind the Humidity

Air conditioners are about more than just comfort. If you live in a part of the country that experiences high humidity, they're also critical in protecting your property from moisture damage. Excessive humidity inside any home can lead to mold issues and other problems that are often challenging and expensive to rectify.

Allowing humidity to build up can also threaten your HVAC components by causing the evaporator coils to freeze. In many cases, these issues can develop if tenants misuse the system by leaving the fan set to "on" without running the AC or using the air conditioner with windows and doors open. A routine annual inspection can uncover these issues so you can advise your tenants on proper AC usage.

Replace Filters

Filter replacement is a seemingly small task, but it can have massive implications for your property's HVAC system. A clogged filter reduces airflow across the evaporator coils, stresses the blower, and can even cause premature failure of expensive components such as the compressor unit. Routine filter replacements are a quick and easy way to prevent these problems.

Filter replacement schedules can vary from months to years and depend on the filter type and thickness. Learn how often replacements are necessary for your property and ensure you supply your tenants with an adequate number. If you're concerned about tenants replacing the filters on time, schedule routine maintenance visits so a professional technician can handle this task.

Schedule Annual Maintenance

Even if your tenants use your AC system correctly and stay on top of filter replacements, scheduling at least one service visit regularly is still critical. This visit will allow an expert technician to inspect your system for problems, clean the evaporator and condenser coils, and ensure everything is operating correctly and efficiently.

Routine visits are the best way to maximize the life of your property's AC system, ensuring that repairs and replacements don't eat into your overall rental profits. For more information, reach out to air conditioning maintenance services near you.

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