Those winter months are starting to feel like they happened eons ago, as the heat ratchets up degree by degree. It was unimaginable only months ago, but your home is going to start getting hot soon. There are smart ways to keep it cool, such as following some basic maintenance for your air conditioning unit. You may not be a mechanic, but follow these tips and when the sun is out in full force your machine will be working perfectly.
Clean the A/C Filter Yourself
This is a simple fix that goes a long way towards keeping your A/C unit in good shape. First, make sure the filter is meant to be cleaned and used again, rather than replaced. Make sure your air conditioner is off, and remove the filter.
Use a vacuum with a soft brush extension to suck up the dirt and other particulate from the filter. You can wash the filter in warm water to get off the remaining guck, but be gentle with it. It’s a good idea to follow these instructions every 30 days or so, to keep airflow circulation optimal.
Call the Professionals
It’s very important that you take care of your appliances beyond just maintenance tips — professional repairmen can service the machine at a level that is beyond the reach of non specialists, which improves performance and makes these appliances last longer.
Make sure the professional technicians you hire are experienced and properly trained, and only use the highest grade parts.
Look for a company that seeks to make long-term relationships with clients. They often offer flat-rate services so you know the entire costs upfront, rather than hide additional charges in unannounced repairs they do along the way.
Ideally they’ll offer same-day service, 24 hours a day. Sometimes there is an emergency, and you want to have an established relationship with a company that can come at any time. If something goes wrong in your home, you want it fixed right away.
A/C Coils and Fins
The evaporator coil and the condenser coil of your A/C unit collect dirt over the lifespan of the appliance, even if you regularly clean the filters.
If your condenser coil is outdoors, it’s easy to see if it’s getting dirty. Debris from your garden, like falling leaves or lawn mower trimmings, can negatively impact the performance of your air conditioner. Take the effort to trim any plants that are encroaching on it, to reduce the debris that prevents the appliance from working at its best from clogging it in the first place.
You might not feel it now, but when the full force of summer kicks in you’re going to be glad you have an air conditioner that works perfectly. So repair it now by following the tips here, or don’t hesitate to call a professional service so you know that the job will be done properly, and your home will be cool and comfortable when the sun is really shining.