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Regular air conditioner maintenance is one of the few household chores that pays off.
A properly maintained air conditioning unit operates more efficiently, consumes less power, and costs less to run. The best part? A well-maintained system has fewer breakdowns and longer lifespan. Spotting problems now can help you prevent headaches later.
You can perform some regular air conditioner maintenance as a homeowner. On the other hand, technical assessments and ac repair services should be left to professionally trained and licensed experts like IdesignAC Tucson
Here are 12 Air Conditioner maintenance tips to keep your AC running smoothly
1. Change Air Filters
The HVAC systems come equipped with air filters to capture dust, pet hair, and other contaminants. These filters keep contaminants from interfering with the operation of your system.
Those filters become filthy or clogged over time. A dirty air filter can cause icing on your air conditioner, pushing it to work more than it needs to. This problem can be avoided by changing your filters once a month.
2. Clean Evaporator coils
The cooling coils are protected from dust and dirt by a clean air filter. Even so, with time, dirt and debris are deposited on the coils. In addition, the heat-absorbing capacity of the coils is decreased due to the deposition and covering, affecting the room cooling process. Therefore, regular service and cleaning of the evaporator coils are necessary.
3. Fix the Fins
These delicate metal pieces are prone to being bent. You can use a butter knife to straighten the fins on the condenser unit (carefully) to check they are working properly, you could also buy a fin comb, a small tool that drags and straightens many fins at one time.
4. Clean the Fins
The condenser coil is protected by the fins, which are small metal prongs. Unfortunately, clogged air conditioner fins are a common problem for many households. Remove any unwanted buildup on the outside of your fins with a hose (on a low setting). If at all possible, remove the condenser’s lid and spray from the inside out.
5. Check Insulation on coolant pipes
A thick insulation layer should be covered over the line that transfers the refrigerant through your air conditioning system. These protective linings can be destroyed by exposure to the sun. Check on this Insulation regularly, as it keeps the refrigerant cold and protects the pipe from damage.
6. Check for leaks
Unfortunately, not all air conditioning maintenance can be performed in-house. If you notice a leak in any of your AC unit’s refrigerant lines, you should get professional help.
7. Maintenance of Condenser coil
Outside the home, the condenser and fan unit are located (in all types of AC). The condenser coils get soiled by the dusty outside environment, falling leaves, rain, and wind, among other things. The hot air and heat have a difficult time dispersing outside due to the dust and debris. In addition, the condenser and compressor are heated due to the poor heat dissipation (the compressor is situated near the condenser coil). As a result, cleaning the condenser coil yearly is important for the condenser to work effectively.
8. Remove Plants and bushes
Your air conditioner to function effectively needs free-flowing air. Unfortunately, the airflow is obstructed as plants, flower beds, grass, or weeds grow around the unit. This, again, makes the unit work harder than it needs to.
Remove any plants that have grown near the unit. It ensures that the unit gets sufficient air. As a result, your home’s unit will be more efficient.
9. Check the Drain Line
The condenser in your air conditioner needs to be drained of excess moisture. However, the algae growth can cause this drain line to clog.
You can keep the line clean by flushing it with a small amount of bleach every now and then. In most cases, one cup will do.
A basic wet/dry vacuum cleaner can usually suck up the obstruction if algae or mold has mostly obstructed the line.
10. Check Wiring and Components
The internal connections of your air conditioner are crucial to its operation. What you do not know about them could cost you money in the form of inefficient cooling, so checking the outdoor unit’s wiring at least once a year is essential.
Remove the access panel from the condenser unit with the power turned off and search for signs of overheating. For example, melted Insulation on wires and blackened or burned-looking wires could be signs of this.
Also, check any electrical connections to ensure that they are tight. If you have an electrical test meter, you can check the capacitors in the unit.
If you notice any problems and do not feel comfortable correcting them yourself, contact a local heating and air conditioning expert.
Of course, if you are not comfortable in your ability to check these parts yourself, that is fine! Ask your local HVAC professional about including this in your bi-annual checkup.
11. Check the Condenser Unit’s Fan.
If the fan blades on the condenser unit are in poor shape, your air conditioner will not be able to cool your home correctly. That is why it is critical to be aware of the current condition.
To do so, turn off your air conditioner and check the fan on top of the outside condenser unit to see if it is still in proper working order.
If one or more fan blades show signs of cracks or chips, they should be replaced.
Also, if your air conditioner is older, you may need to oil the fan motor bearings regularly.
If you are not comfortable with this type of maintenance, ask HVAC professionals to include it in your bi-annual checkup.
12. Do not Miss an AC Service
Maintaining your air conditioner is important for saving your electricity bill and preventing equipment breakdowns. What’s equally as important as maintaining your air conditioner is choosing a electricity plan that fits your needs such as Gexa Energy plans which can help you out avoiding bill surprises. Experts in AC maintenance can examine and troubleshoot any problems your AC unit might have. To get the optimal performance from your AC, make sure it is maintained at regular intervals.
