The regular maintenance of your air conditioner is essential to ensure that it is working efficiently and running safely. To help you properly maintain your AC, we offer some helpful tips from experts.
Whether you employ the services of an HVAC professional or do the maintenance work yourself, this advice can be helpful whether you own a central air conditioning system or a portable device.
Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips From The Pros
1. Clean Or Replace The Air Filters
The first recommendation is to check the air filters and replace them, if necessary. If it’s not been replaced in a while, what’s more, common is that the filters have gotten dirty and need to be cleaned. The fundamental purpose of this is to have a clean airflow in the system. This would, in turn, prevent dirt from entering the AC system and block its cooling process.
These blocks are going to prove to be a problem because they’ll restrict the airflow up until it gets completely blocked. Frequently cleaning or replacing your air filters will ensure that your air conditioner is running efficiently and cooling effectively.
2. Examine The Thermostat
The thermostat is an important part of your unit. If it is not set correctly, the AC may not run as long as it should. Inspect your thermostat. Make sure the wires aren’t loose, and where present, the batteries are installed correctly. The thermostat is the nerve center of your air-conditioning and cooling system.
If this component malfunctions or the words on it are incorrect, a lot of things could go wrong. The most common symptom of an incorrect thermostat is a failure of your cooling system to respond when you change the room temperature. The next thing to do is check the thermostat setting.
3. Unclog The Rear Drain
Many homeowners are not aware of the importance of unclogging the rear drain on top of their air conditioning system. The rear drain is used to channel water out of where the evaporator coil is located. If your unit has an internal condensate pump, that’s also where your rear drain will be. This tube aims to eliminate any excess water in the system.
4. Clean The Air Conditioner’s Coils
Clean the AC unit’s coils thoroughly. If the coils are dirty, they can’t do their job efficiently. Clean your ac coils with a garden hose or warm water and a scrub brush. Be sure to flush out the dirt or mold residue caused by water buildup. Inspect vents for debris like leaves or twigs.
Clean these out as well to allow maximum cool airflow. Cleaning the dust from your air conditioners’ coils is a good way to keep the air that you are breathing clean. Dirty coils can overheat and cause your unit to shut down, which will then make you uncomfortable in the house until it has been replaced or fixed.
5. Remove Debris From The Outside Unit
To prolong the life of your air conditioner, it’s important to clean the outside unit and coils regularly. Sometimes, you may be able to leave the exterior of your air conditioner until late fall or winter when you put your central air system away for the season. If not, it’s good practice to schedule this for at least once a year, and more if you have pets or children who may be inclined to track in dirt.
6. Check Wiring And Components
While all of your wiring and components within your air conditioner may not be subject to the same amount of wear and tear, it’s best to become familiar with the components that are. You can easily make a visual inspection of these items to ensure there are no visible signs of wear.
If you notice anything out of the ordinary then you should contact an AC repair technician as soon as possible so that repairs or replacement can be performed before something catastrophic happens.
7. Change The Insulation On The Refrigerant Pipe
The refrigerant pipe carries cool air from the inside of a refrigerator to the condenser. If this pipe is not insulated, your refrigerator will find it harder to release heat into the external environment.
The heat that is not released after flowing through the condenser transfers to the refrigeration pipe through convection. If you need your air condition system to be in top form for the upcoming hot season, then make sure you pay attention to the refrigerant pipe too.
8. Check The Condenser Unit’s Fan
The fan is the component that makes it possible for air to flow through and be cooled by the system. If the fan is not working, there will be no cooling of air. The fan may need to be cleaned because it can get clogged with dust, dirt, and animal hair.
This will cause the compressor to run constantly cycling on and off and you will probably be getting less cold air than normal. Inspect the fan for rust or corrosion. If you start seeing blotches or discoloration you’ll need to replace it immediately.
9. Do Not Miss An Ac Service
As summer approaches, call an AC service technician to carry out a complete servicing of your unit to make sure it is in top shape and ready to serve you. Make sure the technician checks the AC fins, drains, compressor, filters, coils, and every other important component.
Bonus Tip For Your Air Conditioner Maintenance
There is some routine AC maintenance task you should be able to carry out by yourself. However, when it comes to the technical aspect, you should leave that to the licensed professional to avoid further complications. Additionally, If you are not able to perform any of these maintenance tips mentioned above, call an expert.
Air conditioning is almost a necessity for everyone, especially during hot periods. It is also the most effective way of removing humidity and keeping the temperature cool inside the house. While they are very convenient, you must be proactive in their care, so they can serve you for a long time.
