It can be frustrating if you feel that you frequently need air conditioning repair. If you notice that your air conditioner is malfunctioning pretty often, there's a good chance that you can prevent another AC breakdown by making a few important changes.

The following are six things to change if you have been needing air conditioning repair all the time lately. 

Your air conditioner is old and outdated

One of the most common reasons why your air conditioner needs repairs all the time is because it is getting old. It might be time to replace your air conditioner. Remember that an air conditioner should be expected to last around 10 or 15 years. If you've been using an air conditioner longer than this, it's normal for frequent malfunctions to start indicating that it's time for a replacement. 

You're turning the thermostat down too low

You're going to be overworking your air conditioner if you're expecting it to cool your interiors to very low temperatures during the hottest months of the year. The Department of Energy recommends a  summertime thermostat setting of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid setting your thermostat lower than this or your air conditioner will have to work extra hard and could experience more frequent malfunctions that require repair. 

You're not changing your filter often enough

You shouldn't underestimate how important changing your air conditioner filter is. If you're in the habit of neglecting filter changes, airflow through your air conditioner will be obstructed. This detracts from air conditioner efficiency and makes an air conditioner work harder. This can easily lead to frequent malfunctions that require repairs. 

You haven't signed up for an annual maintenance plan

You could be experiencing frequent repair needs if you're not keeping up on AC maintenance. You can fix this problem if you sign up for an annual maintenance plan. With an annual maintenance plan, your AC service will automatically come out to your home and perform maintenance that you'll need. You'll also get routine inspections done on your AC unit. These inspections help you look out for any developing issues early on before your AC breaks down and requires repair. 

You're allowing clutter to build up around your air conditioner

If you want to avoid repairs, you should keep the area around your air conditioner organized. Any obstructions surrounding your air conditioner can restrict airflow. You could also experience AC repair needs if kids or animals have access to your air conditioner and can cause damage to it. Make sure you keep kids and pets away from your air conditioner to avoid accidents that could lead to malfunctions and repair needs. 

You're attempting to perform DIY repairs

Another possible reason why you need air conditioner repairs all the time is that you're not getting malfunctions adequately addressed and corrected the first time around. You should resist the temptation to do AC repairs yourself if you want to get the problem fixed once and for all. DIY repairs could make it so that repairs are performed incorrectly. You might even end up doing more harm than good, so don't attempt your own repairs unless you are a professional AC technician.