Step by Step Guide for Maintaining Your Air Conditioners
Among the technological developments that were produced over the years, the use of air conditioners became a critical component of any home or office. In fact, air conditioners can improve the conditions within your area, while providing a healthy, comfortable living environment for you and your family. It keeps you cool during the hottest summer days and cozy throughout the sweltering, uncomfortable summer evenings. When you enter your front door, you know that the heat will have subsided. Also, of course, you want to take care of something if you need it and love it so much. Thus, taking good care of your air conditioning unit will operate effectively for many years.
An air conditioning system contains a number of interconnected parts that function together. And like most equipment, it needs routine maintenance because it is susceptible to a variety of problems. Furthermore, if you do not take action quickly, the issue can get worse and cost you more money. Thus, for an air conditioner to operate successfully and efficiently over the course of its useful life, frequent maintenance is necessary for the unit’s filters, coils, and fins as well. When proper maintenance is neglected, the performance of the air conditioner will gradually deteriorate while energy consumption will gradually rise.
Actually, there are a ton of reasons why keeping up with your air conditioners is essential. One benefit is that it will make sure the equipment keeps supplying the necessary cooling or heating, particularly in the summer or winter. It might even help the appliance last longer and avoid expensive repairs. Regular maintenance can also increase the unit’s efficiency, which can save energy costs.
Some of the actions you can take are straightforward and you do not need a service specialist to complete them. Therefore, equipping yourself with these basic technical skills will ultimately save you time and money. Continue reading to learn more.
Clean Air Conditioner Filters
Sanitizing or changing your air filters is the first and most vital step in cleaning your air conditioners. Filters that are clogged or unclean restrict airflow and dramatically lower a system’s efficiency. In addition, restricted airflow might allow dirt to circumvent the filter and enter the evaporator coil directly, reducing the coil’s ability to absorb heat. Cleaning out and replacing a filthy, clogged filter can reduce the energy use of your air conditioner by 5% to 15%.
Replaceable or reusable filters for your air conditioner are kept in the furnace or air-handler cabinets that are inside or close to the end of the air-inlet side. It is essential to clean or replace your air filters twice a year, or whenever they start to get clogged with debris, hair, or dust, in order to ensure appropriate air flow. You might even carry it out at least once every month. A supplementary filter system for the evaporator is also provided by electrostatic filters in some systems. If they are dirty, change them.
Actually, some filter types can be reused while others need to be changed. They come in many different varieties and efficiencies. Every month or two throughout the cooling season, clean or replace the filters in your air conditioning system. If the air conditioner is used frequently, is exposed to dusty circumstances, or you have furry pets in the house, filters may require more frequent maintenance.
Clean the Coils
Over the course of their months and years of use, the evaporator coil and condenser coil of the air conditioner accumulate dirt. The evaporator coil is kept from quickly getting dirty by a clean filter. It will eventually continue to gather dirt, though. The coil is insulated by the soil, which lessens the coil’s capacity to absorb heat. Check and clean your evaporator coil as needed once a year to prevent this issue.
If the surrounding area is dusty or there is foliage, outdoor condenser coils can also get very dirty. The condenser coil is clearly visible, so you can tell if debris is accumulating on its fins. By doing this, you should reduce the amount of dirt and debris surrounding the condenser. Dirt and debris may come from your lawnmower, dryer vents, or falling leaves. To ensure enough airflow around the condenser, clean the area around the coil, remove any trash, and trim any vegetation back by at least 2 feet.
Clean the coils of the indoor evaporator with a moist cloth or a vacuum cleaner if they are dusty. Depending on how frequently you use it, do it at least once every month or every two weeks.
By keeping the evaporator clean, you may prevent dirt from obstructing the airflow into the room and reducing the air conditioner’s ability to chill the space.
Check the Refrigerant Level
Foam insulation is frequently used to protect refrigerant lines from energy loss. These refrigerant tubes run from the air handler’s evaporator coil to the condenser outside your home.
A specialist should check the refrigerant level and make any required adjustments. The unit may have to work harder if the refrigerant level is too low, which could result in increased energy costs.
When you clean your air conditioner, check the insulation on the refrigerant lines for damage and repair it if necessary to increase system efficiency. The refrigerant lines should have a foam insulation sleeve installed as the first step in resolving this problem. The refrigerant lines can also be taped with insulation if you like.
Inspect the Ductwork
It is important to check the ductwork for leaks, holes, and other problems. In addition to making the air inside the house unclean, ducting leaks can make the unit less efficient.
If you have central air conditioning, make sure the ductwork is airtight by applying sealant to patch any loose or damaged joints. This will ensure the air conditioner’s effectiveness. If necessary, clean and replace the filter. Make sure that no household furniture is obstructing the vents.
Schedule a Professional Tune Up
It is important to schedule a professional tune-up for air conditioner maintenance since it may ensure that the system is running as efficiently as possible and can help avoid expensive problems. A skilled technician will examine the appliance during a professional tune-up to look for any potential problems, such as worn or loose parts, leaks, or other concerns. In order to ensure that the unit is performing at its peak, they will also check the refrigerant level, clean the coils and ducts, and test the operation of the unit.
A professional tune-up can also help extend the life of the appliance by spotting and fixing any possible issues before they worsen. In the long term, this can save you money by preventing expensive repairs or the need to replace the equipment too soon.
One yearly expert tune-up appointment is advised. An expert may clean the appliance, make any required repairs, and evaluate the appliance for any potential faults.
Key Takeaway
You should not put off performing routine maintenance on your air conditioners. Even though it might not always appear required, preventive maintenance is preferable to having to fix a malfunctioning air conditioning system. As a result, regular maintenance can increase the lifespan of your air conditioner and ultimately save you a ton of money. To go one step further, cover your air conditioner with plastic during the fall and winter and secure it with a rope or bungee cords. After cleaning your unit, if your air conditioning is still not functioning properly, call a qualified technician immediately.