Please welcome guest writer, Emily Lapm.
Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips: Make Sure You Do It Right
While a central air conditioning or AC unit has a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years, it will not work at optimal efficiency without the proper care. Most of these units are part of a system that provides heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and is known as an HVAC system. Different versions of these systems exist, but their main components remain the same. You have a compressor and condenser coil in the exterior unit, and a blower and evaporator in the interior unit. Both units work in unison to provide air cooling and heating. Below, you will learn six valuable air conditioner maintenance tips that will help you care for your HVAC unit in the appropriate manner.
- Replace or Clean the Air Filter
In the AC blower unit, an air filter plays a crucial role. It keeps dust and dirt particles from entering into the blower’s mechanics. As the filter fills up with these particles, you must either clean it or replace it depending upon which style of filter that your unit contains. The air conditioning installers will gladly show you how to access this filter when necessary and explain if it is a reusable one or a replace only one.
- Keep Drain Pipe and Pan Clean
As your AC runs, it produces condensation that must drain through a pan and a pipe to leave the house. If you allow the pipe to become clogged, the pan with fill up with water to the point that the blower will shut down. To prevent this, check the drain pan and pipe regularly to ensure that the water can freely flow through both.
- Periodically Examine Both Units for Mechanical or Wiring Issues
Examine both units periodically to detect mechanical or wiring issues. For example, the condenser fan and its motor may suffer damage or wear from being out in the elements. Even though you may not have the expertise to repair the issues, you can spot the problems early enough that repairs will suffice as a solution. At times, this can prevent you from replacing the units or the entire system.
- Trim the Landscaping Features That Are Around the Exterior Unit
The outdoor unit requires a constant air flow through it to operate in an efficient manner. For this reason, you should trim all landscaping features in the area to provide a clear space around this unit at all times. When flowers, shrubs, grass or other plantings block the airflow, they diminish the capacity of the unit and may even cause it to malfunction.
- Clean Outdoor Condenser
In addition to trimming the landscaping in the area of the outdoor unit, you need to clean the outside of the condenser. First, turn off the power. Spray off the outside of the unit with your garden hose to remove all dirt and debris from it. Try to spray down and away instead of horizontally to prevent the dirt and debris from going inside the unit.
- You Should Not Forget About the Thermostat
The thermostat controls when your high-efficiency air conditioner turns on and off. When this element malfunctions, your HVAC system will operate incorrectly if at all. A malfunction may even cause higher electric bills in certain cases. If you own an older model of a thermostat, you may wish to update it to a programmable one since this type saves energy while it controls your system.
When you follow the above tips for maintenance of air conditioner systems, you will understand when you need to reach out for professional service to repair issues sooner than if you ignore your system. In addition, you will keep your system operating at maximum efficiency and even prolong its lifespan. Remember that HVAC systems are a major investment and the longer you can keep yours working, the higher the return is on your investment.
About Emily : Emily is a freelance writer, she currently writes for Cool Times Air Conditioning, a Brisbane based specialize in the sale and installation of air conditioners.
