Your air conditioning unit is a very important piece of equipment that needs to be maintained regularly to guarantee that it is in excellent working order, this will provide you with the most effective climate control during those warm summer months and also decrease the chances of unexpected, unwelcome breakdowns. A properly preserved unit will work far more efficiently, effectively saving you a lot of money on your energy bills.
Air Filter Cleaning & Replacement
If you have a reusable air filter it is important to thoroughly clean this apparatus on a regular basis to avoid any build-up of foreign contaminants which can cause your unit to work ineffectively or breakdown completely, the air filter looks like a grill and is usually located on the top, side, or back of the unit. If the filter has to be replaced, it should be done during peak seasons when the unit is being used the most, if the air conditioning unit gets blocked with dust or other particles it will reduce airflow, making it work a lot harder than normal.
Keeping the External Unit Clean
Some people keep the internal A/C unit clean, but forget to maintain the outdoor unit to the same degree, over time Twigs, foliage, dirt, and tree/plant clippings will gather in and around your unit which will cause the system to reduce airflow and efficiency. You should try and keep the area surrounding the unit clear and free of greenery, and if you wash the unit be careful with delicate parts, you do not want to cause any damage to the A/C unit.
Thermostat Inspection
Examine your thermostat box to check whether it is operating correctly and make sure it is keeping your home at the right temperature, it is beneficial to upgrade your unit if you are currently using an older model. The latest models have a wide variety of settings that easily allow you to control your environment, you can program your system to turn on and off at particular times of the day which is far more cost-effective than having your A/C unit running all day.
Examine the A/C Condenser Device
The most important part of this device is the fan located on top of the external condenser unit, it needs to be kept clear and clean with no signs of damage to the fan blades. Before checking this, be careful to turn off the air conditioning system and replace the fan if there are any noticeable cracks or large abrasions on the blades, you should also keep all the bearings oiled to avoid rusting.
Inspect Fixtures and Fittings
Before you decide to check your air conditioning unit do not forget to turn off the unit by cutting power to your main electrical breaker panel, once safely powered off you can remove the access panel and look inside to see if there is any noticeable damage to any wires or other components. If you are not happy to replace damaged parts make sure you call a qualified air conditioning expert to carry out the work for you.
It is important to remember that a properly serviced, well-maintained A/C unit will work more effectively, save energy, and last a lot longer than a poorly maintained system.
