AC unit maintenance is critical for its trouble-free and reliable operation. While it may not seem a priority, if you lose your AC during a heat wave, you will surely regret not putting some effort into air conditioner maintenance tasks. In addition to yearly AC maintenance, there are things you can do on a regular basis to ensure your unit runs reliably and efficiently, while extending its useful life.
Thankfully, air conditioning maintenance is not difficult, time consuming or expensive. Here are some tips for maintenance of an AC system that will keep you cool.
AC System Basics
AC maintenance is easier if you understand the various components of the typical system. Here are the key parts:
- Evaporator: Holds the liquid refrigerant to cool air.
- Expansion valve: Regulates the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator.
- Compressor or condenser: Sits outside your home and pressurizes the refrigerant.
- Air handler: Located inside and works to regulate and circulate air through your home.
- Thermostat: Manages temperatures inside your house.
How these parts are structured depends on the type of air conditioning system you have:
- A central air conditioning system is a permanent fixture that works through ducts in your home.
- Portable and window units can be moved from room to room and stored elsewhere during the off-season.
- Ductless, or mini-split, units are installed through the wall and cool individual rooms.
1. Regularly clean and replace filters
Checking and replacing filters is the easiest and most important task of air conditioner maintenance. Don’t wait to do it as part of your yearly AC maintenance—you should check it in the fall and spring, at the least. If you live with pests or in an area with poor air quality, you might want to check it more frequently. Here is how to do it:
- Turn off your AC.
- Find the filter in the service panel and remove it.
- If you have a permanent filter, you can clean it under running water and let it dry, or you can get a new disposable filter.
- Install the clean or new filter, and then turn the unit back on.
2. Clean and maintain your indoor unit
Cleaning is vital when it comes to air conditioning maintenance. Your indoor unit can collect dust, dirt and mold, making regular cleaning necessary for your health and the health of your system. Buildup can reduce airflow and send contaminants into the air you breathe. It makes sense to give your unit a routine wipe-down, either with a damp cloth or using an antibacterial solution sprayed on a cloth. Don’t spray liquid of any kind directly on your unit.
Many people take the extra step of getting a regular thorough cleaning and HVAC maintenance visit by a professional. Not only is this option more comprehensive, it is also safer. As part of your regular, yearly air conditioner maintenance, scheduled service will give you confidence that your unit will provide reliable and clean operation throughout the season.
3. Clean and maintain your condenser (outdoor unit)
Don’t let your outdoor unit be “out of sight, out of mind” when thinking about air conditioning maintenance. Letting vegetation and yard debris build up around the unit will make it work harder and will make air flow much less efficient.
Don’t store equipment, furniture or other things around your outside unit. In addition to inspecting the area around your unit, check for damage to it. Look for rust, dents, irregular fins and oil leaks. If you notice serious issues, it is time to call in a professional.
4. Check and maintain your insulation
Hot attics and crawl spaces steal cool air from your air conditioning ducts. Applying a spray insulation foam or wrapping them in batted or rigid insulation sealed with foil tape can dramatically increase the effectiveness of your AC unit. You can cut down on the need for mechanical air conditioning maintenance by improving the everyday efficiency of how your unit operates with this simple and inexpensive fix.
5. Keep your air conditioner cool
On extremely hot days, your air conditioner may run non-stop, creating its own heat. It won’t run at peak efficiency. AC unit maintenance you can do every day is to give it a break:
- Use awnings and drapes to block out the heat of the sun.
- Use a ceiling fan to circulate cool air.
- Don’t run heat-producing appliances during the hottest times of the day.
- Consider super-cooling during the night, and turning the unit down in the morning, until the heat of midday.
6. Schedule yearly AC maintenance with Constellation Home
AC unit maintenance involves easy everyday attention. However, to get the most efficiency and longest life from your system, you also need yearly air conditioner maintenance.
The items included in a typical annual HVAC tune-up include:
- Inspecting and cleaning the coils
- Adding new filters
- Adjusting or replacing the fan belt
- Oiling bearings and motor parts
- Checking blowers and fans
- Making sure controls and safeties are working properly
- Inspecting refrigerant levels and pressure
- Ensuring the operating temperature is within range
Air conditioner maintenance is essential to its efficient and safe operation. Failing to take care of AC maintenance on a regular basis can affect more than your wallet—while it’s nice to lower your bill, indoor air quality and your health are at stake.
Stay ahead of problems, with yearly AC maintenance. It’s easy to schedule service and have the peace of mind that your system will give you many years of reliable service.
