Investing in professional maintenance for your air conditioner is fantastic, but even better is taking care of the system yourself as a homeowner every single month. The time you spend taking care of your air conditioner has the most potential to maintain efficiency and extend its lifespan.
Of course, if you do need AC repair in Hillsboro, Ohio, our team is here to help. In fact, that’s another benefit of AC maintenance. When you keep a close eye on your air conditioner, it’s easier to stay ahead of repair needs. Spotting early warning signs of AC trouble before they escalate can save you from expensive and inconvenient breakdowns. You can keep reading to learn tips for taking care of your air conditioner.
Replace Your AC Filter Regularly
You probably already know that once a month you need to change the air filter in your air conditioner. This air filter doesn’t just catch dust and dirt to improve your indoor air quality. It’s also the only source of airflow into your air conditioner. If your air filter gets too full, it blocks airflow going into your air conditioner.
Without adequate airflow, your air conditioner does not have air to cool and blow into your home. Your air conditioner may start to work harder to bring in more airflow, placing strain on the system. This can increase wear and tear while also increasing your energy bills. You may not think that something as simple as changing your air filter on time each month can have that big of an impact, but it really does. In fact, this is one of the most common AC issues we see during service calls.
Flush the AC Drain Line to Prevent Blockages
When you change your air filter, you should also open the closet where the indoor portion of your unit sits. You will see a pipe sticking up with a screw-on cap. Remove this and pour a little vinegar into the opening.
The condensate drain line is where humidity condenses down into water droplets and slows outside of your home. But, it’s the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. When you flush this drain line out with vinegar. Once per month, you help reduce the chances of mold and mildew, growing, even potentially leading to a clog.
Inspect Your Outdoor AC Unit for Debris
It’s easier to keep an eye on the indoor portion of your air conditioner. However, the outdoor portion of the unit needs attention too. Since it is exposed to the weather and elements daily, you may need to hose down the outdoor unit using gentle water pressure.
You can do this once per month to help eliminate dust and dirt that threaten to clog the evaporator coils. However, you want to be sure not to use pressure that is too strong, otherwise, you can damage the delicate fins on the interior of the unit. If you notice the fins are bent or out of place you can gently separate them again using a butter knife. If left unchecked, this kind of buildup can lead to bigger problems from neglected maintenance.
Shafer Heating & Cooling, LLC: You are just one call away from the comfort and savings you deserve! Schedule an appointment today for AC service with our team of expert technicians.