As the weather starts warming up, you might think about firing your air conditioner for the first time in months. But before you do, it’s essential to ensure that your AC unit is in good working order. After all, nothing is worse than having your AC break down in the middle of a heatwave! Luckily, with some preventative maintenance, you can keep your air conditioner running smoothly throughout the summer. Here are seven maintenance tips to help you out.
1. Clean or replace your air filter
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your AC unit is regularly cleaning or replacing your air filter. A dirty air filter will not only make your unit work less efficiently, but it can also cause it to break down prematurely. Depending on your air filter, you’ll either need to clean it or replace it every one to three months.
2. Check your evaporator coil
Another essential part of your AC unit is the evaporator coil, which is responsible for absorbing heat inside your home and releasing it outdoors. Over time, the evaporator coil can become covered in dust and dirt, which reduces its ability to absorb heat effectively. To clean the evaporator coil, start by turning off your AC unit and removing the front panel. Then use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt and debris from the coil. Finally, rinse the coil with water and let it dry completely before putting the panel back on and turning on your unit.
3. Inspect your outdoor condenser unit
The outdoor condenser unit is what releases the heat that the evaporator coil has absorbed. That’s why keeping this area clean and free of obstructions like leaves or branches is essential. Use a garden hose to spray down the condenser unit and remove any build-up of dirt or debris.
4. Change your thermostat batteries
If you have a programmable thermostat, it’s important to change its batteries regularly to continue accurately regulating the temperature in your home. A good rule of thumb is to change the batteries at least once a year—or more often if they start dying prematurely.
5. Keep vents and registers clear
For your AC unit to work correctly, it needs good airflow—so make sure that vents and registers are never blocked by furniture or other objects in your home.
6. Schedule annual maintenance
Even if you follow all of these tips, there’s no substitute for professional AC maintenance from an AC technician. Once a year, someone should come out to inspect your AC unit and perform any necessary repairs or adjustments. This will help ensure that everything is in good working order and help prevent any future problems from developing.
7. Upgrade to an energy-efficient model
If your AC unit is more than 10 years old, it isn’t very energy efficient by today’s standards—which means higher utility bills for you! Upgrading to a newer model will save you money in the long run and help reduce your carbon footprint since newer units use less energy overall.
Conclusion
Following these seven maintenance tips, you can keep your AC unit running all summer long—and avoid any unexpected breakdowns. Plus, taking good care of your unit will help it last longer and run more efficiently, saving you money in the long term. So don’t wait until it’s too late—schedule some time for AC maintenance today.