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A 3-ton AC unit is probably too big for a home that’s 1,200 square feet. If you have a 1,200-square-foot home, you likely need a unit that’s somewhere around 1.9 and 2 tons. An AC unit that’s too large will be really inefficient and cost you a lot of extra money on your bills. 

You can protect your air conditioner in the winter by turning off the power at the thermostat and performing routine HVAC maintenance in the spring. Regular maintenance, cleaning, and repair of your AC unit helps protect it and extend its life span. If you have a window AC unit, remove it from the window and store it in a dry place during the winter. Window units cannot withstand freezing temperatures. Keeping them in your window also allows cold air to seep into your home.

Air conditioners and dehumidifiers are actually quite similar, though they perform different jobs. Dehumidifiers reduce moisture in the air, while air conditioners work to cool the home. A good central AC unit will naturally perform a certain level of dehumidification due to its design, but it will not be able to handle excessive levels of moisture.

AC capacitors last between five and 15 years, with an average lifespan of 10 years. Most people only need to replace a capacitor once during an AC unit’s lifetime. You don’t need to replace the capacitor unless something is wrong with it, which an HVAC repair pro can diagnose.