As the seasons change and the warmth comes in, it is always a good idea to look into the maintenance of your air conditioning and other ventilation systems. It is important to practice maintenance habits in order to keep your air conditioning running when you need it and to avoid any sort of problems or malfunctions, especially during very hot and warm days. Here are some times that are easy to practice but will go a long way in keeping your AC units operating.

Clear Debris In And Around Unit

The first thing you need to do whenever you perform any maintenance procedures or check on your air conditioning systems is to cut off power to your air conditioning units whether it is an interior or exterior system. You can do this by flipping breaker switches or pulling the disconnect. Once you are certain there is no electricity running through the system that puts you at risk, you want to ensure that you clear the debris around the unit. This includes grass clippings, or leaves that can cause blockages in your systems. If your unit is next to or near shrubbery, you will want to frequently trim those bushes as well. Keeping the area around your exterior units will decrease the likelihood of problems arising due to dirt and debris.

Cleaning Coils

Using a garden hose, rinse off the coils. Spray from the inside, out in order to clear any buildup within your unit. Allow the water to run for a while until the dirt is gone from the drippage. Once rinse off the debris on the outside. If the coils are particularly dirty, you can find AC coil cleaners that will provide a deeper clean. There are also fins that are in the air conditioning unit that are quite fragile so ensure that you do not bend any of them during this cleaning process. Do not use a pressure washer when cleaning your air conditioning unit as this risks damage to those fins. Learning how to clean ac coils yourself is important in maintaining your cooling systems to ensure that they are operating optimally and to help extend their life. By learning some easy do-it-yourself tips, you can also save time and money from having to hire a professional to look into your systems in order to maintain them.

Check Electrical And Insulation

It is important that in addition to having your cooling systems run smoothly and are clean, you also ensure that they are safe. You want to do this by checking the electrical wiring in and around the unit to ensure that there are no exposed wires.

Check the insulation around the wiring to ensure that it is still okay. Keeping these practices in mind with your wiring will prevent electrical issues from causing shorts and malfunctions. This keeps the system functioning throughout a much longer lifespan.

Change Filters

It is important that in order to provide the care you need for your air conditioning unit, you frequently check and change your filters. When looking at your filters, check to see if you can still see light through it. Not being able to do so may mean that there is too much build-up and that it is time for a change. When you are changing the filters, make sure that you line up your filters properly as this will create proper airflow for your units, and incorrect installation will result in an inefficient cooling system. Each home will differ in how frequently filters need to be changed. Factors that come into play in how often said filters must be maintained or changed are the environment and weather conditions that determine how often you are using your air conditioners. Changing your filters helps extend the life of your air conditioning unit and allows it to run efficiently and optimally.

Clean Ducts And Drains

Make sure that your drains and ducts are clean of any additional debris or anything that can clog it. Ducts can be clogged with dust and dirt that block airflow, which makes the air conditioning unit inefficient in having to work harder to produce the same cooling temperature. This decreases the lifespan of the unit and makes it less effective. Clean air ducts by removing dirt by hand or vacuuming it. Drains can also see a lot of trouble with clogs, buildup, and backup. It is a good practice to pour water into the drain line to ensure that it is clear. Some people add a little bleach to the water to help clean the line as well.

Your air conditioning and other cooling systems are critical during the warmer months of the year. It is important that before and after these periods you take the time to properly take care of your systems to ensure that they are running when you need them. The last thing you want is to have to worry about a broken air conditioner in the middle of summer or a malfunctioning heating system in winter.


WRITTEN BY

Daria Brown