There are many ways that you can help maintain your air conditioning system with Do-It-Yourself home maintenance tips for your air conditioner.
Doing a quick assessment every month of your air conditioning unit can save you time and money in the future. Maintaining your central air conditioning system is the best way to assure your system keeps working efficiently for many years.
Make Sure The Air Conditioning Filter is Clean
One of the first home maintenance tips for your air conditioner is to assess the cleanliness of your air conditioning filter.
A good rule of thumb is to inspect them every other month.
The filter is an essential part of keeping debris and dust out of your system. The more occupants you have in your home the more frequently you should assess your filters.
If you have multiple pets in the home you should also check your filters more frequently. Pets have a tendency to shed thus causing your filters to clog more easily.
Allergen sufferers should also check your AC filters more frequently to decrease allergens in the air.
It is also recommended that you hire a professional licensed HVAC company at least once a year to inspect your air conditioning system, making sure your unit is operating the way it should.
Even though regular home maintenance and regular filter changing is performed by home owners, it is still essential to have a licensed HVAC specialist perform a 24 point inspection that includes, looking inside your unit making sure you have clean air conditioning coils and the entire AC system is working properly and efficiently.
Inspect the Outside Condenser
The Condenser is the outside component of your air conditioning system. The condenser needs to be free of anything that it can pull into it to harm it.
Leaves, dirt, and other debris can get caught in the condenser fins. The condenser fins are the metallic blades that surround the unit. These fins frequently get dirty because the central fan sucks them through. The debris can block the airflow and greatly reduce the units full cooling capability.
Insuring the shrubs and landscaping are kept at least 2-3 feet away from the condenser will lessen the chance of the build up of debris.
Cottonwood, also known as Populus trees, should be kept far away from the condenser. This is one of the most common trees found across North America and it also disperses floating “cotton.”
This floating “cotton” is one of the worst types of debris to clean from your condenser fins. Please ensure that none of the trees are remotely near your condenser. This will save you a huge headache when it comes time to clean the inside of your condenser.
Visually inspect your ductwork
You can normally inspect your home’s ductwork yourself. If you are able to access your attic with ease there are some important things to check for.
Check and see if there are any tears in the protective coating of the ductwork. Note any kinks or flattened areas that you see as well as exposed insulation.
If nothing turns up during your visual inspection and you still hear sounds coming from your attic it may be something else.
Rattling or banging noises could indicate loose connections or poor sealing. Undetermined noises or other cooling issues warrants a call for a professional.
Our certified technicians at All Star Heating and Cooling will determine the cause and give you the best remedy to get your ductwork back up to par.
Properly Winterize the Unit
Fortunately it’s not hard to winterize your air condition unit. Unfortunately many people living in Florida feel there is no need to do so.
Even in Florida we still need to take care of our air conditioning unit during the winter months. The peak of the cold season in Florida is from mid December to mid March.
Many times in Florida winter air conditioners could be shut off for weeks at a time. Before and during this time insure that any debris is removed from around the condenser.
Since we do not experience a great amount of snow in Florida covering your condenser is not necessary. Many “snowbirds” will cover their condensers in the northern states which may be helpful. But covering your condenser even in the winter months in Florida can trap humidity and even damage your condenser.
Just remember the need to clean debris and clip any oversize branches nearby. These few tips will help insure that your air conditioning unit is ready to go when the temperature outside rises.
Periodically Rinse Your Condenser
Safety always comes first when tackling any do it yourself projects.
Before any maintenance is done to your condenser insure that the power supply is disconnected. Check and re-check that you have a safe environment and maintain this thought while completing this task.
With a garden house you can clean the outside of the condenser and free it from dirt and debris. The fins of the condenser as well as the fan can be cleaned with the proper tools. A small vacuum and brush will be needed as well as a little time.
Any coolant or electrical components should always warrant a call to a professional. All Star Heating & Cooling can test to see if any coolant is leaking as well as assess any electrical issues that may be going on and ensure that your air conditioning condenser is being properly maintained.
All Star Heating & Cooling is proud to offer service to Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Citrus, Sumter, Lake, Manatee, and Marion Counties. Call us today for a free estimate!