Once a month is a pretty good rule of thumb for most people. Depending on where you live and how much dirt, pet dander and other contaminants are present, the answer could be more or less. Check your filter frequently to determine if it's dirty. If it is, change it.

A lot of factors will go into the size of heating and cooling unit you will need. The type of house you own, its walls, insulation, attic space and more can go into determining what size unit is required. A system that is too large could result in a home that is too humid, causing problems with moisture and mold. A system that is too small will run constantly, running up your energy bill. Only a qualified heating and cooling technician can determine what size unit is best for your home.

Heating and cooling units are a big investment so it is understandable that you would want them to last as long as possible. Reducing usage is always helpful so turn the thermostat up or down as needed, to reduce use when you are not at home. Changing air filters will prevent clogs. Regular check-ups can also help you ward off any potential trouble spots,

There are a lot of reasons why your air conditioning system might freeze up and all of them require help from a professional technician to resolve as only they have the training and correct tools to fix the problem.

There are a variety of reasons why you should replace both the outdoor and indoor units simultaneously. For starters, air conditioner and heat pump outdoor units are manufactured to work with a matched indoor unit. When you mix and match units, it can result in reduced efficiency and performance. Also, if you bought your indoor and outdoor units at the same time, the indoor unit will probably be approaching the end of its useful life at about the same time as the outdoor unit. By not replacing the indoor unit too, all you are doing is delaying and likely paying higher energy bills at the same time.

Heating and cooling units need to have scheduled checkups to make sure everything is operating properly. HVAC experts recommend an annual inspection and service call by your heating and cooling company. Technicians should inspect your system, lubricate components and repair or replace any malfunctioning components.

Zoning systems separate your air conditioning system's ductwork into different segments, allowing you to exercise temperature control in each segment thus allowing for more targeted and eficient air conditioning.
For example, you may have a room with many windows that gets hot sometimes and might need more air to cool down while you may also have a rarely occupied guest room on the other end of the house. With a zoned air conditioning system, you can direct more cold air to the many-windowed room and less air to the unoccupied room. This allows more efficient use of your AC system and a more comfortable home.

Indoor air quality is a major concern as many studies show that air pollution is much worse indoors than outdoors. You can improve your indoor air quality with frequent dusting and vacuuming and you can also have a qualified technician install devices such as UV light units, special air filters and electronic air cleaners to improve air quality. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to many illnesses so improving your home's quality is an investment worth making.

Check the label on the outer surface of your equipment to determine its manufacture date. If it is less than five years old, there is a good chance that your equipment is covered by warranty. Contact the manufacturer for more details.

First things first, you should not attempt to fix your noisy air conditioner on your own! Unless you have professional knowledge of HVAC electrical system layouts and the proper meters to test all the working components of your AC, you are putting yourself and your air conditioner at a significant risk for harm.