How To Keep Your Air Conditioner in Good Working Order
Maintaining your air conditioner (AC) will help you save money on power while increasing the life of your unit!
Photos By: Stock Images
Professional air conditioner repairs can also help your equipment run more efficiently. As a consequence, you’ll save money this summer while keeping cool.
When an air conditioner works properly, it removes excess moisture from the air, keeping people comfortable. Mold growth can be worsened by filthy air conditioners or malfunctioning AC systems, causing allergies and asthma flare-ups. Follow these simple AC maintenance instructions to guarantee that your air conditioner runs efficiently throughout the season.
Check the Fins
Pay extra attention to your home’s outdoor air conditioning equipment during your regular maintenance sessions. Begin by inspecting the unit’s fins to determine how much dirt and debris have accumulated on them. Remove the device’s outside coverings and suction any visible dirt using a shop vacuum. Then, with a garden hose, wash away any remaining debris. After cleaning the fins, look attentively to see if any of them have been bent since this might result in a reduction in airflow. If you see a bend in the fin, use a butter knife to straighten it out.
Keep the Filters Clean
One of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your air conditioner in excellent working order is to clean the filter. Before your air conditioner starts working extra to keep your house cool, check the filter to see if it needs to be changed or cleaned. Any AC maintenance plan should include cleaning its filter.
Filters that are blocked or dirty might restrict the natural airflow of the unit, reducing its efficiency. By allowing more dust and debris to move through the air, a filthy air conditioner filter will lower the air quality in your home. The filter in your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system should be replaced at least twice a year. You may wish to change it more regularly if you live in a dusty area.
Insulate Your AC
Ducts in heated attics or crawl spaces should be wrapped to keep the air inside cool. Insulation choices at Morris Jenkins include spray foam, batt insulation, and rigid-foam insulation. The batt and rigid should be insulated with foil tape instead of duct tape. In confined spaces, wraps give better insulation.
To lengthen the life of your air conditioner, close your blinds or shades during the day; you can even construct awnings to shield south-facing windows from the sun. Use the air conditioner in conjunction with floor or ceiling fans to circulate cooled air more effectively.
Fix Leaks
Due to leakage, ducts lose as much as 30% of the circulation, and air conditioners that fit into windows are extremely difficult to seal properly. Place an incense stick between the unit and the window frame; for central air, place the stick near duct connections. If the smoke is flying about, you have a leak.
Set the Timer
There’s no need to turn up the air conditioning while you’re at work. Install a programmable thermostat for central heating and cooling systems, which allows you to set higher temperatures when you’re away and lower temperatures when you’re at home. You can get a timer from any home store, but make sure it matches your device’s voltage.
Newer window units include built-in timers and thermostats that you can adjust. Don’t switch off the system unless you’re going on vacation; otherwise, the air compressor will have to work harder to cool your house later.
Schedule a Service
It’s a good idea to get your air conditioner inspected and serviced before the summer heat hits to guarantee it’s in good working order all summer. An expert will look through the whole unit, from the refrigerant to the ducts, to ensure everything is in working order. You’ll be relieved to learn that you can correct it before summer arrives if an issue is identified.
