When the weather starts to warm up, you want to use your air conditioning. You want to turn it on and have it work. The worst thing to happen is it stops working on the hottest day of the year. However, if you follow these residential air conditioner maintenance tips, you shouldn’t have any problems staying cool and comfortable.
Schedule a Routine Inspection
One of the top residential air conditioner maintenance tips to consider is having rearguard routine inspections. A reputable air conditioning company often provides a service or maintenance contract which includes annual inspections. This is also a great time to discuss your concerns with a technician. Even if it seems like your air conditioning is working perfectly fine, you should have an annual inspection. This is the best way to monitor your system. If there is a potential problem, a technician can catch it early and correct it before it causes the system to break down.
It lasts longer when you provide general maintenance for your air conditioning system. Your system needs proper amounts of refrigerant and must remain free of debris. While you can visually inspect your air conditioning unit, a technician will do a more comprehensive check of the entire system. During an inspection, the thermostat, blower shutoff, and wiring are all checked for integrity. All electrical components and connections are visually inspected and tightened. All of the filters on your stair conditioning unit are replaced. Finally, the drain line is flushed and cleaned.
The technician tests all safety and limit controls. All of the capacitors and connectors are inspected for rust or corrosion and tested. The condenser coil is cleaned. The technician tests the static pressure for efficiency and looks for ways to improve airflow. All exposed ductwork is inspected for air leaks. The refrigerant charge must be inspected and verified to meet manufacturer specs.
Get Repairs Done
You know when something just isn’t right with your air conditioner. One of the top residential air conditioner maintenance tips is to get it repaired. If something seems off with it, you should contact a reputable company to handle your air conditioner repairs. No one wants to face expensive bills for AC repairs, but you shouldn’t ignore them. It could be a minor problem that is easily fixed. However, if you let it go, it may become an expensive replacement.
There are some common signs that your air conditioning needs some attention. You want to pay attention to any of these signs. While it’s normal for your AC to run more on hot and humid days, there should still be periods when it turns off. If your air conditioning is running constantly, more likely there is a problem with it. If your AC is running constantly, it means your energy bills are going to be high, too. There could be a problem with the compressor, thermostat, or the electrical components.
Another common problem is your air conditioner just won’t come on. No matter how low you drop the thermostat, it doesn’t engage. A circuit breaker may have tripped, or the thermostat is bad. It could also be the result of a loose wire. A technician can help diagnose the cause of these common problems. You may have a situation where the AC is on, but there isn’t air coming through the ducts. Or you may feel the air, but it’s not cold air. This is usually an easy problem to fix. There could be a problem with the blower belt, or you may have low levels of refrigerant.
If you have a dirty air filter, you may find that your ducts are blowing hot air into your house instead of cold like you expect. There could also be some obstruction in the ducts, or there is debris causing the compressor to overheat. A technician can easily diagnose these problems; most of the time, there is a quick fix.
Get a New Unit
No matter how many residential air conditioner maintenance tips you follow, you will eventually need a new air conditioning installation. Your air conditioning won’t last forever. Once your unit hits ten years old, it could go at any time. On the other hand, it’s possible for it to last another ten years. After the ten-year mark, you should keep its age in mind whenever you decide to repair it.
However, maintaining it does help it last longer. When you believe it’s time for a replacement, AC installation companies can help you determine what type of air conditioning unit you need. When your air conditioning unit needs constant repairs, it may be time to consider a new unit. A good rule of thumb is if you are making a repair once a month, that is too many.
If you turn on your air conditioning and notice a bad odor coming from it, it may need to be replaced. You should never have a bad smell coming from your AC. The smell could indicate that a wire is burnt inside your unit. However, if the smell is more musty, it could indicate there is mold in your ducts. Either way, this smell indicates a severe problem that could cause you and your family to get sick. You want to contact a professional to inspect your air conditioning right away.
The main role of your air conditioning unit is to remove the humidity in your home’s air. If you feel as though your house is humid even when the air conditioner is running, you should contact a technician.
Get the Unit Cleaned
One of the top residential air conditioner maintenance tips you should know is to keep your air conditioner clean. The unit should be cleaned when service and maintenance are being done. You should verify with the technician that they are also cleaning your unit. When cleaning your unit, HVAC contractors always turn off the power to ensure safety. If there is any debris, they will remove it. This could include branches or leaves on the outside of the unit. You may see them take off the fan cave to clean the inside.
The outside unit has fins on it. Technicians use a special tool to clean the evaporator fins and condenser coils. Over time, they get clogged and dirty. When they’re dirty, it makes your system less efficient. The technician uses a special solution to clean the evaporator and condenser coils. This removes dirt, dust, or other debris that accumulates. Technicians check the coolant levels in the air conditioning unit to ensure they meet requirements. The unit is inspected for any signs of damage or wear and tear. They may also lubricate moving parts.
Cleaning your unit is one of the top residential air conditioner maintenance tips because a clean unit improves the quality of the air in your home. Dirt and dust accumulate in the unit and cause pollutants and allergens to be released into the air. When your unit is clogged and dirty, it doesn’t run well. It becomes less efficient and has to work harder. This causes an increase in your energy bills. It also puts stress on the unit and can reduce its life.
Make Sure the Area Around It Is Clean
One of the residential air conditioner maintenance tips that you may have thought of is to keep the area around your air conditioner clear. When there isn’t anything obstructing the unit outside your home, it allows for better airflow. Anything in front of the unit can block the airflow around it. This means the unit doesn’t work as well. It has to work harder, which increases your energy bills.
When there is debris around your air conditioner, it can pose a safety hazard. It’s possible for any of these items to cause the compressor to overheat and cause a fire. On the other hand, when there isn’t enough air flowing around your unit, it can cause it to freeze up. When the condenser coils are frozen, the unit will not function. When you keep the area around your air conditioner clear, it makes it easier for AC companies to access the unit for regular maintenance and repairs. When the area around the unit is cluttered or obstructed, it is difficult or even dangerous for a technician to work on the unit. The bottom line is that when you keep your air conditioner free of obstructions, your heating cooling services function much better.
Replace the Air Filter
One of the most important residential air conditioner maintenance tips you should remember is to change your air filter. The good news is changing the filter for your air conditioning unit is easy. You can do it yourself. If you’re going to change the filter, you should remember to turn off the power. You can do this at the thermostat or the breaker. The filter is usually easy to find behind a panel on your unit. If you can’t find it, the owner’s manual should tell you where to find it. You can slide out the old filter and place the new one in the slot. The filter has arrows on it. You want those arrows to point in the direction of the airflow.
Once the filter is securely in place, you can close the panel door. You want to be sure to dispose of the old filter properly. Each air conditioner requires a different filter, so it’s important to get the right filter for your unit. Once you change your filter, your air quality improves. The filter captures pollen, dirt, and dust. The filter prevents those items from coming into your home. Over time, capturing those items, the filter eventually gets clogged and becomes less efficient. This is why you have to change your filter regularly.
When your filter is clogged, it may cause the internal components of your air conditioner to overheat. This constant overheating can damage the internal parts of your unit. When you take the simple step of replacing your filter, it can help save money over time. In addition, you are saving yourself from facing expensive repairs.
Schedule Maintenance Appointments
The residential air conditioner maintenance tips in this guide should indicate the importance of regularly scheduled air conditioning maintenance. Regular maintenance appointments help you stay on track. In addition, you don’t have to worry if your air conditioner has any problems because having a maintenance schedule ensures it’s being checked regularly.
When it’s functioning optimally, it is more efficient at cooling your home. This leads to lower energy bills and saves you money in the long run. In addition, regular appointments can identify any potential problems before they become major expenses. You prevent more expensive repairs or a complete system replacement when you catch issues early on.
When you provide proper maintenance, you ensure that your air conditioning system lasts longer. When you keep the system clean and well-maintained, you can avoid premature wear and tear. This also means that you extend the life of the internal components. In addition, regular cleaning and replacing the air filter improves the air quality in your home. This is important for those that suffer from allergies or respiratory problems.
In addition, an air conditioning system that is not properly maintained can become a safety hazard. Regular maintenance identifies any potential safety issues. This gives you peace of mind that your system is functioning safely. You should schedule maintenance appointments at least once a year. The best time to schedule these appointments is before the hot season begins. Ideally, it would be best to have your unit cleaned and inspected before you plan to turn it on for the season.
If you follow the residential air conditioner maintenance tips in this guide, your air conditioner should remain in great shape. When you maintain and care for it properly, it will last a long time. It also allows you to catch problems while they remain minor. Use this guide as a reminder of the services your air conditioning needs.
