Avoiding the need for AC repair can save you a considerable amount of money throughout the years, and the best way to do it is to perform proper maintenance techniques, many of which you can do yourself, throughout the year to keep your system running strong. The better condition your air conditioner is in, the less it has to work in order to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. And the better your air conditioner works, the less energy it has to use in order to function which can save you even more money in the long run. Here’s how you can properly maintain your air conditioning system to ensure optimal performance for many years to come:
Getting Rid of Debris to Avoid AC Repair
With the help of a wrench or screwdriver, remove the fan cage from the exterior condenser. This will give you access to clean the leaves and debris that have gotten stuck behind the fan, which if left to linger will make your air conditioner work harder than it has to when it’s in use. Use a wet/dry vacuum to make sure you get everything out of the nooks and crannies. Before putting the fan back on your condenser, use a hose with a strong stream of water to spray the fins of the condenser to get dirt, dust, and allergens out of its small cracks.
Cleaning the Coil to Avoid AC Repair
Locate the evaporator coil door on the interior furnace unit and remove the bolts and door to gain access to the coil. Once you find the evaporator coil, use a soft brush to dust it off and then spray it with some no-rinse coil cleaner that can be found at a local home improvement store. Once the spray foams up on the coil it will drain into the drip pan below, so you’ll need to clean out the drip pan with soap and water after the cleaner has fully dripped dry from the coil.
Maintaining the Filter to Avoid AC Repair
It’s important to change the filter in your HVAC system to ensure optimal performance and to minimize the amount of dust and allergens that get circulated throughout the air in your home as it is being cooled. A good regular cleaning is all it takes to make sure that your filter stays in good shape – you can do this by using a damp cloth to wipe the filter’s surface free of grime. For a filter that is especially dirty, dip it in soapy water and use a soft brush to loosen the dust and let it dry before putting it back in its place. If you find a rip or hole in the filter, replace it with one that’s available through your HVAC service provider or a home improvement store.
Scheduling Professional Maintenance to Avoid AC Repair
Another important aspect of minimizing the need for ac repair is scheduling a maintenance appointment with a professional on a regular basis. Your service provider will check all of the connections and fans to ensure that they’re properly working, and inspect all aspects of your HVAC system in search of any small problems that can be fixed before becoming too serious or costly to repair. You can also expect your technician to check the thermostat settings, lubricate all of the system’s moving parts, and evaluate refrigerant levels..
Take these maintenance steps at least twice a year for your best chance at avoiding the need for AC repair. Shoot for getting them done once right before the summer months hit and again before winter comes around.