Ensuring your air conditioning unit works at its best has a significant impact on the comfort of your home. It keeps every room at the right temperature, making every day and night comfortable.
Maintaining your air conditioning unit can be tricky. While there are some simple cleaning procedures you can do yourself, there are also some issues you should leave to the experts. Finding out what you can do at home can help save you from frequent problems and costly repairs.
Fortunately, there are some ac maintenance tips that you can follow to help maintain your air conditioning units. Keep reading to learn how.
1. Clean Regularly
Regular cleaning is imperative to keep your air conditioner in perfect condition. It includes removing dirt and debris from the exterior and interior parts to ensure good airflow. There are some cleaning steps that you can easily execute with the proper know-how and the right tools.
The first part you can clean from the outside is the fan cage. You may unscrew it to brush off any dirt from the fan. You may use a gentle brush, a damp cloth, or a dry vacuum for a deeper clean. Then, proceed to clean the fin. If it’s not too dirty, you may use a spray cleaner and a fine comb to keep them aligned.
Another step is cleaning the coil. You may use specific coil spray cleaners you can buy in the market. However, you may also use a mild detergent and water solution. After spraying onto the coil, let it sit for a few minutes. Then, wipe the dirt and debris using a soft cloth.
Even simple cleaning can help prolong the life of your unit, helping you save more money on frequent repairs or replacements. It’s also an excellent way to save on your electric bills.
2. Replace Air Filter
The air conditioning unit’s filter keeps you safe from dust. However, dirt accumulates in a short period of time, depending on your location and how often you clean and replace the filter.
Replacing your air conditioner’s filter at least every three months is ideal. If you’re residing in a dry and dusty location, you may replace it every month to ensure clean and safe air inside your home. It’s best to clean it regularly to know when you need to get a new one.
Failing to replace your air conditioning (AC) filter for a long time might bring dust around the home. This may lead to allergies or illnesses that may irritate the throat and lungs. The accumulated debris may also clog the system, restricting efficient airflow and further damage.
3. Check The Condensate Drains
The air conditioner’s drain line is often overlooked even during a professional cleaning. This part flushes out excess water and moisture created by the evaporator coils. When the condensate drain is clogged, there’s a risk of water damage inside your home.
To check the system’s drain, start at the drain pan. Remove stagnant water using a rag or a wet vacuum. Then, you may try to run a steel wire through the pipe to push any clogs.
One of the clear signs of a clogged drain pipe is increased humidity inside your home. As the moisture stays in the drain lines, mold and mildew build-up pose a risk. This may lead to severe water damage, such as discoloration on walls and carpets. A musty odor may also be evident after being soaked in water for a long time.
Checking the drains is imperative to air conditioning system maintenance. If do-it-yourself (DIY) cleaning doesn’t work, it’s best to call professional services to ensure your safety.
4. Improve Home Insulation
Maintaining your air conditioning units is not all about taking care of the whole system itself. Every part of the home has a significant impact on the other. One example is the correlation between your AC system and insulation.
Improving your home insulation is one of the keys to prolonging the life of your air conditioning units. When every room is well-insulated, it’s easy to maintain the appropriate temperature. On the other hand, poor insulation causes your units to overwork.
When regular cleaning and professional maintenance are being done regularly, your air conditioning system is expected to work in its best condition. However, if there are issues like varying temperatures in different home areas, it’s a sign that you may need to upgrade your insulation in some areas.
5. Hire Professionals For Inspection And Maintenance
While a homeowner is capable of regular cleaning, there are delicate steps that professionals do best. Hiring experts for routine inspection is best for maintaining home air conditioning units from time to time.
Professional air conditioning maintenance should be done twice a year during spring and the fall. This way, you’re preparing your AC system for changes in weather conditions.
Moreover, expert cleaning and inspection can save you from problems during extreme cold or hot seasons. You don’t have to endure hours of inconvenience due to sudden repairs since every part works perfectly.
Conclusion
Maintaining your air conditioning units can be a daunting task, but it can be done as mentioned above. Being diligent in regular cleaning and maintaining the scheduled inspection is essential to ensure prolonging the life of your AC system. It can also assure you that you’re breathing clean and safe air inside your home.
