If you maintain your air conditioner in good working order, you will reduce your long-term running costs and also extend the lifespan of your unit. You should also have a professional service done on your AC unit once a year. An HVAC professional can check the electrical connections of your system, lubricate the moving parts of the unit and test the controls to make sure everything is running smoothly.
AC services will tell you more about what you can expect from a professional service.
AC Maintenance
There are a few things you can do to keep your system in good shape.
Clean And Replace The Filters
One of the most important maintenance tasks is to regularly clean or replace the filters of your system. If the filters are clogged and dirty, your unit won't be able to work as efficiently. It will also reduce the airflow. If the airflow is blocked, the air can also bypass the filter and the dirt can be deposited directly into the evaporator coil which will impair the coil's capacity to absorb heat.
During the cooling season, you will have to replace your AC’s filters every two months. They might have to be replaced more frequently. If you use the system constantly, or if you have furry pets in the house. A special air conditioner 20x23x1 air filter removes bacteria, mould, allergens, and pollution from the air, improving the environment.
Clean The Coils
Try to minimize debris near your unit’s condenser unit. There needs to be sufficient airflow around the condenser and you should remove any debris from the area. The air conditioner's coils (evaporator and condenser coils) can collect a lot of dirt. The dirt can reduce airflow and insulate the coil, which will reduce its ability to absorb heat. You need to check your air conditioner coil and clean it to avoid this problem.
You should either remove or cover your air conditioner in the winter. If you have an outdoor unit, cover it to protect it from winter weather and debris.
Check The Seal
At the beginning of every cooling season, you need to check the seal between the air conditioner and the window. The seal can get damaged over time so make sure it's making full contact with the AC unit's housing, and repair or replace it, if this is not the case.
You can seal gaps around your window-mounted unit by sticking adhesive-backed weather stripping around the AC. You can also put rope caulk into small gaps. This is a clay-like material, that can be molded to fit into the cracks.
When Do You Need to Get a Professional?
Hire a professional, when you suspect your unit needs more than regular maintenance, for example, if it struggles to reduce the temperature to a comfortable level.
The technician will do the following tests on your AC:
- He will use a leak detector to check for refrigerant leaks. He will also capture refrigerants that must be evacuated from the system.
- The technician will inspect air terminals, and tighten and clean connections.
- He will measure the airflow through the evaporator coil.
- The technician will also check that the unit has the correct amount of refrigerant.
Final Thoughts
While it’s good to maintain your air conditioner to extend its life span, it’s essential that you contact a professional if you suspect that there might be a more serious problem. It’s to your benefit to have problems repaired early, as there is the potential that they will get worse if you leave them. This could mean you will end up spending more money on repairs in the long term or that your unit will have to be replaced sooner.
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