Hello, my name is Darby Aldrich. I would like to talk to you about the importance of maintaining your air conditioning system. When I moved to a hot climate, I did not realize how vital having a running air conditioner was for living comfortably. When the unit just stopped working one day, the temperature inside the house rivaled the piping hot weather outdoors. We had to go to the community center to keep the kids from feeling sick. While we were gone, we had a local HVAC contractor fix the unit. She let us know that some simple maintenance tasks would prevent that situation in the future. I will use this site to closely explore those tasks in great detail. I hope you can use the information to keep your air conditioner running like new. Thanks.
If you have an AC unit installed in your window, it is easy to forget that the device keeping you cool may need a little TLC of its own. This guide will help you maintain your AC or HVAC unit, depending on what kind you have installed.
1. Clean Debris from Exterior Parts
If you have an exterior compressor or condenser, it is important that you clean debris from it frequently. It is not uncommon for leaves, dirt, grime, and other substances to make their way into the compressor. You likely need tools to lift the grill or top away from the unit. You can clean either by hand or with a vacuum. You can also use water to break apart debris.
2. Adjust Bent Fins
If your compressor has any bent fins, it definitely is not meeting its full potential, ultimately decreasing efficiency. You can use a small tool or even a butter knife to make corrections to any bent pieces, allowing for the most efficient amount of air to flow through.
3. Cut Back Vegetation
While you are doing maintenance on your AC unit and all that comes with it, make sure that you have cut back vegetation several feet from the unit. This allows for the best amount of airflow. It is also important that you check exterior components regularly to prevent birds, mice, and other animals from nesting there during the months the unit is not in use. Oftentimes, even a cover is not enough.
4. Change and Clean Filters
Filters that are clogged and dirty will be inefficient. This is why it is vital that you clean and replace them regularly. Otherwise, you will be wasting energy without getting much for all the work.
5. Check Heating and Cooling
When was the last time you turned on your heater or AC unit? Has it been a while since the last time you turned on the heating component of your system? If you have not been using both features regularly, check each to see what happens after a while. If the units are not working correctly, you will know before the height of the season approaches.
6. Call an Expert
When all else fails, do not be afraid to make a call to a commercial HVAC company that handles cooling services. With the right information, a professional service can ensure that you do not waste time running an inefficient air conditioning unit or heating system.
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16 June 2017
