Tips For Maintaining Your AC Unit
Mowing the lawn and painting your home are easy ways to maintain your home and increase its value. In the same way, there are easy things you can do to take care of your air conditioning and heating equipment to keep it running when you need it most. A little preventive maintenance in the spring and fall goes a long way.
Change/Clean Filters
The most important maintenance task that will improve the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean the air filters. Replace one-inch pleated filters once a month. Remember, filters may need more frequent attention if your air conditioner is in constant use, is subject to dusty conditions, or you have pets in the house.
Clean Coils
The air conditioner’s evaporator and condenser coils collect dirt over time. This dirt reduces airflow and insulates the coil, reducing its ability to absorb heat. Outdoor condenser coils can also become very dirty if the outdoor environment is dusty or if there is foliage nearby. To avoid these problems, check and clean your air conditioner’s coils, if necessary, at your annual maintenance visit.
Remove Debris
Over time, things like leaves, dirt and grass clippings will build up on the outside of your air conditioner, decreasing system capacity and reducing airflow. You should trim any shrubs or other plants back from around the air conditioner to keep from impeding airflow to and from the unit.
Straighten Coil Fins
The aluminum fins on evaporator and condenser coils are easily bent and can block airflow through the coil. Check these pieces at your annual maintenance visit and straighten them, if necessary.
Call in a Professional for Regular Maintenance
It’s a good idea to call a licensed professional come in and perform preventative maintenance twice a year, including flushing the coils, checking the drain pan and drainage system, vacuuming the blower compartments, looking at the voltage, checking refrigerant levels in the air conditioning unit, evaluating furnace operation, checking voltage on motors and loose wires. Spring is a good time to service air conditioning equipment and in the fall, it is important service heating equipment. With luck, you will catch any problems before they become a major inconvenience.
RE/MAX Realty Professionals—The Results Team—is ready to help you buy or sell your home! Visit www.andrewl185.sg-host.com. Or call Lesa Miller at 812-360-3863 and Jenivee Schoenheit at 317-258-0995.