5 Easy Ways to Maintain Your Air Conditioner
Your air conditioning system is an essential part of your home. What will you do if it suddenly malfunctions? If you keep up with AC maintenance this may never be a concern for you.
If temperatures are nearing the triple digits, you’ll regret not having spent more time on spring AC maintenance. Denver temperatures can get as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. And from June to September, temperatures in the 90s are frequent.
To make sure your air conditioning unit stays in tip-top shape this summer, you’ll need to take care of it properly. If you wait, you could end up waiting for HVAC companies to find an opening in their busy schedules.
Don’t allow your AC to break down during the hottest day of the year! Use these AC maintenance tips to keep cool and prevent regret.
Spring AC Maintenance Checklist
1. Clean Air Filter
Filters that are clogged with dirt, sediments, and dust negatively affect the efficiency of your cooling system. The airflow will be obstructed, therefore bypassing the filter and carrying dirt and sediments to the very evaporator coil of your air conditioner. This dirt and debris will damage the coil’s capability to absorb heat and thus hinder the unit from providing cool air into your home.
The most important thing you can do to regularly maintain your HVAC system is by inspecting air filters once a month. Remove the filter from its chamber and hold it up to the light. If it looks dirty and light can hardly pass through, clean or replace it. Most filters should be replaced between 30 and 80 days.
Routine cleaning and replacement of the air filters will reduce your air conditioner’s energy consumption by approximately 5 to 15 percent. Another point that you have to remember is that if you have pets or if you constantly use your air conditioner, you’ll have to replace the filter more often.
Sign Up for Air Filter Alerts
Sign up for our Mr. Fix-it Service Email Club by entering your email in the right sidebar or the website. We’ll remind you to change your home’s air filter by email every 30, 60, 90, 120 or 365 days, PLUS receive special email ONLY coupons, our free monthly newsletters with tips, discounts on AC/Furnace repairs, tune-ups, and plumbing needs.
2. Clean Coils
The evaporator and condenser coils are among the essential parts of your air conditioning unit. With continuous use of the appliance throughout the years, dirt may accumulate in these coils, therefore, obstructing airflow and reducing coil insulation.
When these happen, the air conditioner will fail to cool your house. Avoid such an inconvenience by ensuring that air filters are regularly cleaned and replaced. You should also minimize the outdoor condenser’s exposure to debris, dirt and all types of sediments such as those that come from the dryer vents as well falling leaves and cut grass from your lawnmower.
Consider xeriscaping (aka dry landscaping) around your HVAC unit to prevent plant debris from clogging and entering the unit.
Make it a habit of checking and cleaning your outdoor condenser unit every month. Put on gloves and remove large objects by hand. Then, with the AC OFF, use a garden hose to gently rinse the unit of smaller particles.
Never store anything on top of the outdoor AC unit. If you are trying to cover the top of the unit to protect it from falling limbs, try constructing a little HVAC roof at least three feet above the unit.
Do not try to clean your evaporator coil by yourself. For professional and thorough evaporator and condenser coil cleanings, schedule your AC Tune-Up with Fix-It 24/7.
3. Air Leaks
The better your home is sealed, the less you spend on air conditioning. Look for air leaks using an incense or smoke stick. Here are some of the most common trouble spots:
- Attic Hatch
- Attic Kneewalls
- Air Ducts (Duct Sealing)
- Piping and Wiring
- Dropped Ceiling/Soffit
- Flue/Chimney Shaft
- Recessed Lighting
- Whole-House Fan
- Garage/Living Space Walls
- Windows and Doors
If you have a window unit, always check the seal between the window frame and your air conditioner. That seal should be in direct contact with the air conditioner’s metal case to prevent cool air from getting out of your house.
4. Schedule Professional Maintenance
This should be a no-brainer, but if you haven’t scheduled professional maintenance yet, do so now! Heating and air conditioning tune-ups should be scheduled once a year, fall for the heating season and spring for the cooling season.
In addition to maintaining manufacturer warranties, regular professional tune-ups also improve your comfort, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality.
Sign Up for a Home Maintenance Plan
To make sure you never forget another HVAC tune-up again, sign up for a home maintenance plan. Not only will annual tune-ups be included, you’ll also enjoy priority service, exclusive savings, and more.
See what’s included in Fix-It 24/7’s Green Club for our Denver-area clients.
5. Contact a Professional at First Sign of Trouble
If you notice any electrical damage, strange sounds or smells, contact a professional as soon as you can. Heating and cooling equipment can be dangerous if not properly taken care of.
If you need air conditioning maintenance, repair or replacement, contact Fix-It 24/7, serving the Denver area since 2013. Call us at (303) 214-0277 to schedule a service today!
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