Does it seem like your AC isn’t performing as it should? Does your home feel more humid than usual, or the air less cold? Routine maintenance and care are the keys to an efficient air conditioner!
If you’re trying to save money, there are AC maintenance DIY projects you can attempt as you wait to schedule your next tune-up with an HVAC specialist.
Here’s a list of eight AC maintenance tips you can follow:
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Change the Filters
Clean air filters are a necessity in any basic air conditioner maintenance project. You should replace or clean the air filters on your air conditioner every one to two months. Clean filters ensure that your AC unit can work as efficiently as possible. What’s more? Replacing or cleaning a dirty filter can lower your AC’s energy use by up to 15 percent.
How often you replace your filters depends on three factors:
- How often you run your AC.
- If your home quickly accumulates dust.
- If you have pets.
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Clean the Evaporator Coils
Ensuring your air conditioner’s evaporator and condenser coils are grime-free is a simple yet sometimes forgotten AC maintenance DIY project.
Your evaporator and condenser coils can become incredibly dirty over time. This dirt not only reduces the airflow in your home but also insulates the coil in a way that prevents it from absorbing heat. The evaporator coil needs to be able to absorb the heat from the air to complete the cooling process.
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Comb the Coil Fins
If the fins on the condenser and evaporator coils are misaligned or crushed, then airflow could be blocked through the coil. You can realign these fins by using a “fin comb” tool to brush the fins back into place.
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Unclog the Condensate Drains
Clogged condensate drains can stop your AC unit from reducing the humidity in your home. As another easy AC maintenance DIY project, you can unclog or routinely clean these drains by carefully running a wire inside your AC’s drain channels.
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Clean Up Around the Unit
The outdoor unit of your AC also requires basic air conditioner maintenance. Don’t let outdoor debris such as leaves, dirt, and grass collect on the outside of your AC. Debris buildup can hurt your AC’s efficiency and airflow.
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Protect the Unit during Winter
Don’t leave your HVAC system vulnerable to the elements. Instead, protect your air conditioning system during the winter.
Covering the outdoor unit of your central air conditioner during the colder months is basic air conditioner maintenance that will keep your unit safe against weather, dirt, and debris.
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Install a Sound Blanket
There’s a chance that your AC’s compressor is being a little too noisy. Installing a compressor sound blanket is a reasonably simple AC maintenance DIY project and can effectively help reduce unwanted noise.
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Contact an HVAC Professional
Sometimes your AC requires more than basic air conditioner maintenance that only an AC specialist can perform. For example, a technician might measure your air conditioning unit’s airflow through the evaporator coil or test for refrigerant leaks.
Contact the Right Choice to schedule an AC repair in Crowley, TX, and the surrounding areas. We carry a number of HVAC brands, including Lennox, Goodman, and Franklin air conditioning units.