Beat the Heat! Tips to Maintain Your Air Conditioner
If you are lucky to have an air conditioning unit, you know the importance of keeping it working when you need it most. Now is a good a time to make your seasonal maintenance to extend the lifespan (and save money) on your cooling system. Proper care of your air conditioning unit will help ensure it runs efficiently, and keep you cool all summer long.
How to maintain your air conditioner:
Shut off power
Before you start any maintenance, make sure you shut off power to the unit. There should be an exterior shut off box on your exterior compressor, and you should also shut off power right at the breaker box.
Clean the unit
Trim any brush that grows on the outside of the unit that can impede air flow. Get out your shop vacuum and clean leaves and other debris from around, and inside, your unit. You’ll need to remove the fan cage first to really clean the unit, so make sure you shut off the power.
Clean or change air filters
How often you need to change air filters will vary by conditions like pet hair, dust, and how often you run your air conditioner. Cleaning or changing filters should be done at the beginning and end of the summer at minimum. Generally, we recommend to clean or replace the air filter every one to three months since dirty filters restrict airflow, which reduces efficiency.
Clean the coils
Dirty coils are detrimental to your unit’s cooling abilities and reduces overall airflow, so make sure you clean the coils at least once a season. Use a brush to clean debris from the coils, then spray a no-rinse coil cleaner. Leave the foam to drip into the drain pan, and then give the drain pan a good clean. You should also pour a 50% water/50% bleach solution in the drain to keep it clean and algae-free.
Straighten bent fins
The fins on the evaporator can become bent and inhibit air flow. Use a butter knife to gently straighten any bent fins.
Turn the power back on
Once everything is back in place, you can turn the power back and use your air conditioning unit again to stay cool and comfortable.
Check thermostat settings
Ensure that your thermostat is working properly and is set to an optimal temperature. By determining the optimal temperature for your home, you will enhance efficiency and comfort for all members of your family.
Routine maintenance will help save on the cost of repair and replacement, and make sure your unit works efficiently. If you are noticing your air conditioner isn’t working to its full potential, please give our team a call. We are happy to help keep you cool this summer!