The best way to ensure that your AC system doesn’t develop serious or unexpected problems is to have it maintained regularly. Well-maintained AC system will be very energy efficient and have very few problems.
Some of the maintenance that AC’s need must be performed by a professional who has the proper training, experience, certifications and specialized instrumentation to perform the job correctly. Most manufactures recommend that you have a tune-up of your air conditioner performed at least once a year. Other kinds of maintenance, like changing your filters regularly and keeping the area around the outdoor unit free of debris so the system can remove the heat out of your home effectively often can be completed without professional assistance. Make sure landscaping ground cover does not bury any part of the outdoor condenser coil. There should be 2 inches of ground clearance for drainage and airflow.