Having a good air conditioning unit is necessary if you live in a scorching climate. It keeps us cool during scorching weather, and it keeps the air quality high for the people inside the house. In short, it’s a lifesaver!
Most people don’t think about their air conditioning unit until it stops working. Unfortunately, it’s usually too late by then, and you’re left with a hefty repair bill. But it doesn’t have to be this way! With proactive maintenance, you can keep your AC unit running smoothly for years to come.
Here are some tips on how to do just that:
Get the Filter Washed and Cleaned
One of the essential parts of an AC unit is its air filter. As the name suggests, the air filter filters the air from foreign and harmful substances, which keeps the air we breathe clean. However, if you neglect cleaning your air filters, they will eventually get clogged up by substances that prevent you from functioning correctly or, worse, make your air filthy. It also slowly damages your AC unit until it stops functioning.
Thankfully, removing your air filter is relatively easy, and you can do it in just a few steps. After removing it, you can wash it with warm water and clean it with a detergent. Let it dry, and it’s good to go. It’s generally recommended to do this every month. Some experts even recommend changing air filters every month, but obviously, we don’t have that money.
Keep the Coils Clean
The AC coils are also an essential component of the AC unit as it’s the ones responsible for helping the refrigerant absorb heat and, in turn, cool the air. However, over time, the coils can become insulated with dirt, which results in less heat being absorbed. This can result in your AC unit being less efficient when it comes to cooling your home.
It also adds more strain to the AC unit, damaging it over time. You can do this in many ways, but clearing the area around the condenser unit from any substances is generally recommended.
Check the Fins
Now, this one is quite complicated. You might even call the technician for help this time. However, before that happens, you can check the fins yourself. Within the air conditioner, there are what we call a condenser and evaporator. Each of these components has its fin. Over time, these fins can get bent and cause less airflow efficiency.
If you notice the fins bent, you can purchase a fin comb and fix the issue yourself. However, sometimes, the damage isn’t reparable anymore with a fin comb. During this time, it’s better to call the technician and let them fix the issue. Luckily, there are a lot of HVAC companies that you can find in any city. This is convenient if you’re in a pinch and are looking for a technician on short notice or simply looking for a new HVAC unit in a new city.
No matter which city you are in, you can find HVAC companies that can help you, and there are many of them online. If you’re looking for them while you’re in Chicago, California, or Los Angeles, you can easily contact them. Or if you’re in another country like Australia, it’s pretty much the same. For example, if you’re looking for air conditioning Newcastle, Sydney, or in Melbourne, HVAC services are always accessible.
Inspect the Condensate Drain
The condensate drain is an essential component of your AC unit because it allows the condensation to drain outdoors. Have you noticed that when you look at the AC unit outside, there’s water dripping from it? That water is condensation and is from the condensate drain. However, over time, it can also become clogged, preventing the water from dripping. This can be damaging to your AC unit.
To maintain this component, check if the condensate drain is dripping properly. If you see no water dripping, you can check the drain to see if something is clogging. If you see clogging, you can clean it yourself, but sometimes, it stems from far out inside the unit. In this case, you better call the technician.
Ensure that the Fan is in the Right Condition
The condenser unit fan is one of the most important parts of AC units. If you have those big AC units with a visible fan you can see from the outside, this applies to you. The fan is responsible for cooling down the refrigerant gas to keep your home cool. Unfortunately, however, it can also be damaged over time.
If you hear something odd inside the fan, stop the AC unit and check what’s inside. If you see debris in there, carefully fish it out. However, if it’s something internal, call the technician.
Final Words
An AC unit is a god-sent if you’re living somewhere too hot for your good. It’s a literal lifesaver; it’s only natural to take good care of our AC unit. They don’t come cheap after all. If you want to maintain your AC unit regularly, make sure that you’re following the tips we discussed above.
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