With spring and summer coming up in no time, more and more people are getting ready for the warm season. This means preparing their air conditioning unit to handle the grueling temperatures and constant use. But, how can you make sure your unit doesn't end up breaking down on you at the most inopportune time of the year? If you are looking for ways to extend the life of your air conditioning system, start by implementing these three simple tips into the equation.

Change your air filter regularly.

One of the worst things you can do is overlook the importance of your system's air filter. The air filter is what helps to filter out all of the contaminants and give you clean air to breathe. Depending on where you live and how often you are using your system, that filter can end up getting dirty pretty quickly. To help prevent your filter from getting too clogged, check it once every month. If the filter looks dirty, you might want to swap it out with a new one. Not only is this an inexpensive fix, but it doesn't take very long to do either.

Have your system inspected annually.

One of the best things you can do for your unit is to schedule an annual maintenance appointment. During this appointment, the air conditioning maintenance service technician will go through and check for leaks, change the filter, tune-up any parts that might be loose or in need of repair and much more. Essentially, they are checking to see if there is anything that needs to be done before the cooling season is in full swing. By taking care of any problems now, you can save yourself a bigger repair bill down the line. Ignoring a small problem can turn it into something far worse down the road.

Keeping the debris away from the unit.

Oftentimes, air conditioning units end up getting clogged with a bunch of leaves and other pieces of debris. All of those items will end up clogging your system's airflow and preventing it from being able to breathe. When that happens, your system is going to work harder to keep your home at the perfect temperature. Go around the unit once every month and clean anything that might be around it to make sure it has plenty of room to breathe.

By doing the three things above, you can help to keep your unit going for quite some time.