Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips
Just like anything else in your home, your air conditioner will last a lot longer if you keep it maintained properly. Some people might think that an annual inspection is the only thing that a central air home cooling system needs to maintain good performance, but the fact is there are a ton of things homeowners can do to maintain their central air units in order to keep them running smoothly at all times. Routine AC maintenance can be the key to a central air conditioner's long and happy life. And, since your central air conditioner is connected to your furnace, regular maintenance is vital.
Filters
Filters are an important part of all central air conditioning units. Clogged filters overwork central air conditioners, and if your unit isn't exactly a spring chicken, it's even more important to keep its filter clean. Check your central air conditioner filter at least every two months. Remove the filter and inspect for dust and dirt that could be trapped inside. Dust off the filter and clean it as your owner's manual instructs. Be sure to put it back into your air conditioning unit only after the filter is cleaned of all debris. If your filter looks old, worn out, or is too dirty to be cleaned properly, replace it with a new one before it does damage to your unit. If the filter is discolored, that is also a sign that it's getting too old to do its job properly. If you run your air conditioning unit often, you may need to perform this and other AC maintenance in Summit monthly.
Ducts
Your home's ductwork is a vital part of its innards. Ducts are attached to just about every part of your house, from your ceilings to your walls to your floors, and this means that it's crucial to keep all ductwork free of debris. It's not hard to keep these inner workings of your home free from obstruction. The next time you clean your house, clean out all registers, and then break out the vacuum cleaner. Attach a hose to the vacuum cleaner and suck out the dust in the ducts and vents.
Outside cleaning
Again, inside and out, your air conditioning unit must be clean and free of debris. That's why it's important to your central air unit to clean all debris away from each part of it. Your central air conditioner's condensing unit (the giant thing that sits outside your house), is going to have to face plenty of elements that don't belong inside it. About once a month, check around the condensing unit to clear away all debris, such as leaves, dirt, and plants that are growing too close to it. This routine AC maintenance will help to keep this part of your AC unit from getting clogged. Clear away about a 3-foot area around the unit on all sides to keep leaves and other objects from obstructing its proper functioning.
Inside cleaning
Of course, that goes for the parts of your central air unit that are inside the house as well. You need to make sure that air is free to flow everywhere in your AC unit that it needs to go. When you're cleaning, check all areas in your home that contain components that are connected to your air conditioner, such as ductwork. Clear away furniture, curtains, and anything else that could be getting in the way of a properly functioning home cooling system.
Yearly inspections
Finally, your central air conditioning unit needs to be inspected every year by a qualified HVAC professional. No home cooling system should be started up at the beginning of the season without such annual AC maintenance and inspection. Ductwork, refrigerant, coils, and all the other parts of your unit should be inspected at least once a year to maintain the unit properly and assure its optimal use. Any air conditioner repair that needs to be done will be caught by your HVAC technician, and this will save you money in the long run and keep your AC running smoothly for a longer life.
Air conditioners need love. Just like people and cars and everything else that needs to function well, your air conditioner will work better if it's properly maintained on a regular basis.
Filters
Filters are an important part of all central air conditioning units. Clogged filters overwork central air conditioners, and if your unit isn't exactly a spring chicken, it's even more important to keep its filter clean. Check your central air conditioner filter at least every two months. Remove the filter and inspect for dust and dirt that could be trapped inside. Dust off the filter and clean it as your owner's manual instructs. Be sure to put it back into your air conditioning unit only after the filter is cleaned of all debris. If your filter looks old, worn out, or is too dirty to be cleaned properly, replace it with a new one before it does damage to your unit. If the filter is discolored, that is also a sign that it's getting too old to do its job properly. If you run your air conditioning unit often, you may need to perform this and other AC maintenance in Summit monthly.
Ducts
Your home's ductwork is a vital part of its innards. Ducts are attached to just about every part of your house, from your ceilings to your walls to your floors, and this means that it's crucial to keep all ductwork free of debris. It's not hard to keep these inner workings of your home free from obstruction. The next time you clean your house, clean out all registers, and then break out the vacuum cleaner. Attach a hose to the vacuum cleaner and suck out the dust in the ducts and vents.
Outside cleaning
Again, inside and out, your air conditioning unit must be clean and free of debris. That's why it's important to your central air unit to clean all debris away from each part of it. Your central air conditioner's condensing unit (the giant thing that sits outside your house), is going to have to face plenty of elements that don't belong inside it. About once a month, check around the condensing unit to clear away all debris, such as leaves, dirt, and plants that are growing too close to it. This routine AC maintenance will help to keep this part of your AC unit from getting clogged. Clear away about a 3-foot area around the unit on all sides to keep leaves and other objects from obstructing its proper functioning.
Inside cleaning
Of course, that goes for the parts of your central air unit that are inside the house as well. You need to make sure that air is free to flow everywhere in your AC unit that it needs to go. When you're cleaning, check all areas in your home that contain components that are connected to your air conditioner, such as ductwork. Clear away furniture, curtains, and anything else that could be getting in the way of a properly functioning home cooling system.
Yearly inspections
Finally, your central air conditioning unit needs to be inspected every year by a qualified HVAC professional. No home cooling system should be started up at the beginning of the season without such annual AC maintenance and inspection. Ductwork, refrigerant, coils, and all the other parts of your unit should be inspected at least once a year to maintain the unit properly and assure its optimal use. Any air conditioner repair that needs to be done will be caught by your HVAC technician, and this will save you money in the long run and keep your AC running smoothly for a longer life.
Air conditioners need love. Just like people and cars and everything else that needs to function well, your air conditioner will work better if it's properly maintained on a regular basis.