Easy Air Conditioner Maintenance
5 Easy Ways to Maintain Your Air Conditioner
Maintaining your air conditioner is vital in saving you time, money, and energy!
We recommend checking your AC unit at least once per year in the spring to ensure optimal efficiency.
Commercial AC units are of particular importance and should be reviewed as part of your preventive maintenance package.
Professionals like us will give your unit a full once over, changing the filters and belts to ensure your employees' stay cool under pressure when it's cooking outside. There is nothing worse than sweaty employees and uniforms. Wink wink! We also suggest cleaning the coils to ensure the longevity of your compressor.
Below we are providing some tips to help you maintain your residential air conditioner.
Please call a professional if you are uncomfortable or unsure of any of these steps, especially if you want to make sure your maintenance is 100% correct and safe!
1. CHECK THE THERMOSTAT
This is the easiest way to check on your air conditioner. After using your heat all winter, it is time to turn on the cooling system to make sure it is blowing correctly.
It might be time to consider investing in a smart thermostat. For maximum efficiency, this is undoubtedly the way to go. A smart thermostat will better regulate the temperature you want, as well as the ability to set schedules for when you are home vs. not home or day vs. night temperatures.
We have reviewed and agree with this article from PC Mag. Check out the article on the best smart thermostats of 2021.
2. REPLACE THE AIR FILTERS
To clean or replace the air filter, you'll need to find it first. Depending on your system, there are a few places you can look. The most common location is on the top, side, or bottom of your furnace. If you can't find it there, pull out your AC manual or look online to find a manual for your system that will locate it for you.
It is essential to change this filter regularly - every 1-3 months, depending on your home's size and your filter’s thickness. This helps keep your home and air conditioner & furnace free of contaminants and dust.
Investing in a high-quality filter is vital. You are investing in the air you breathe, so it is worth paying a few dollars more for a good one. Look for one that is pleated with a high MERV rating (the higher, the better).
If you are looking for the most effective air sterilization systems available, find out more about the UV Angel Air Purifying Systems.
3. CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF THE AC UNIT
Cleaning the outside of your air conditioner unit is important for proper maintenance. Begin by shutting off the power to the unit to avoid any risk of electrocution.
Give us a call if you are unsure of any of these steps along the way!
Once the power is shut off, pull away any debris, leaves, or plants that have begun to grow into or accumulate around the AC unit. Then rinse with a hose; never use a power washer on your unit - it is far too strong and will cause damage.
Be careful not to bend or damage any of the coil fins as these are quite delicate.
Finish by trimming away any growth or shrubs near the air conditioner unit to ensure it does not grow into the unit.
4. CHECK THE WIRING AND COMPONENTS
Next up in air conditioner maintenance is to check the wiring and components. As with all your maintenance, you should do this at least once per year.
Begin by shutting off power to your AC, removing the panel, and checking for signs of overheating. These may look like burned, blackened, or melting wires and parts.
Ensure all wires and electrical connections are tightly secured, and if you have an electrical test meter, check the capacitor as well.
If you feel comfortable repairing or replacing any of these parts, please do so. If not, give us a call.
5. CHECK THE CONDENSER’S UNIT FAN
Last on the air conditioner maintenance list is to check the condenser's unit fan because if the fan doesn't work, your system can't cool anything!
First, turn off the power (we know this by now). Then check the fan mounted on top of the outside of the condenser unit for cracks, chips, or warped edges.
If you find that the fans need replacing, you should be able to look up the air conditioner unit's model number at your local hardware store to ensure the right fit or call an expert to help you out.
Still feeling unsure? Here's a great article that walks you through the steps of cleaning your air conditioner unit.
Just like a vehicle, you need regular check-ups to keep your air conditioner and other HVAC systems in tip-top shape and running at maximum efficiency. It will save you time, money and energy in the long run by keeping your unit running as long as possible.
