Simple and Easy DIY Tips to Maintain Your Air Conditioner
A little regular AC maintenance can go a long way. On the other hand, neglecting required maintenance ensures a steady decline in the performance of your air conditioner while steadily raising your energy bills. Thus, before you schedule a maintenance visit, here are some simple tips to maintain AC along with ensuring comfort and efficiency.
Change the Air Filters:
The most critical maintenance task that will ensure your air conditioner’s efficiency is to clean and replace the air filters. Clogged and dirty air filters block the normal airflow and substantially reduce the system’s ability. With the normal airflow impeded, the air that passes through the filters may carry dirt directly to the evaporator coil and impair the heat-absorbing capacity of the coils. Cleaning and replacing the air filters can lower the system’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
If you are not sure about the type of air filters you use or the size of the filters for your air conditioner, call an AC contractor in Noblesville, to help you. At Dutch Heating and Cooling, LLC, we deal with all brands and makes of air conditioners, and can check, clean, and replace your air filters during our annual maintenance visit. Remember, your air filters need frequent and minute attention if your air conditioner is in constant use or you have pets at your home.
Clean the Air Conditioner Coils:
The evaporator and the condenser coils of the air conditioner collect dirt and dust over their months and years of service. The dirt insulates the coils and worsens their heat-absorbing capacity and reduce the airflow. A clean air filter prevents the air conditioner coils from soiling quickly.
Checking and cleaning the condenser coils and evaporator coils every year can prevent your air conditioner from malfunctioning or breaking down.
Removing Debris from The Unit:
Over time, things like leaves, dirt, and grass clippings build outside the air conditioner. Debris clogs the outer unit of the air conditioner and affects the cooling capacity of your system. Trimming the shrubs occasionally from around the air conditioner unit can keep the system away from impeding airflow.
Straightening the Coil Fins:
The aluminum fins of the evaporator coils and the condenser coils can be bent easily and restrict the normal airflow. You can prefer buying a fin comb to comb the fins back to their normal and original condition again.
Unclogging the Condensate Drains:
Clogged condensate drains can prevent your air conditioner unit from reducing humidity in the air. It also results in excessive moisture and discoloration of the walls. Plus, clogged condensate drains may put extra workload on your air conditioner to cool down your home, while increasing the energy consumption.
Pass a stiff wire through the unit’s drain channels to locate any clogs. You can clean any clogs by yourself with the help of a vacuum cleaner and augment the efficiency of your air conditioner. If you find any trouble while unclogging the condensate drain, call a professional for air conditioner repair in Noblesville right away, without wasting further time.
Find Air Leaks in Your Home:
You can’t compromise with the necessity of a cold and relaxed home. Thus, reducing your air conditioner usage to maintain it sounds to be the worst idea ever. Keep an eye on whether your air conditioner is working hard, taking extra workload, and still failing to get you enough comfort.
If you notice the above symptoms along with a puzzling hike in your energy bills and reduced cooling altogether, air leaks in your home can be the reason. Finding the air leaks and insulating them stop the cold air from going out of the room and cage the cold air inside.
Hiring A Professional:
When your air conditioner needs more than regular homely maintenance, hire an HVAC technician for AC replacement in Fishers, or a professional service. A professional HVAC expert can find and fix all the problems with your AC.
Dutch Heating and Cooling, LLC has years of experience in the field of AC installation in Carmel, IN. With a team of highly professional and expert technicians, we provide the best AC repair services in budget. If your AC is behaving abnormally or failing to provide enough cooling inside your home, call us at (317) 399-7839 and schedule a repair or maintenance service today!
FAQs:
How Do You Maintain an Air Conditioner Unit?
If you are looking for simple maintenance tips for your air conditioner to try at home, the following are the steps:
- Check the air filters of your AC. Clean them with water, soft-bristled brush, and mild detergent if they are clogged with dirt and dust. Replace the air filters if they are way too dirty.
- Clean the outdoor unit of your AC and the debris clogging your unit.
- Clean the evaporator and condenser coils.
- Unclog the condensate drain.
Which Mode is Best for AC?
During the “COOL” mode, the air conditioner runs as per the temperature setting at which it has been set. Cool mode is best as a summer mode of your air conditioner, where you expect nothing but cooling. Auto mode is where the system cycles off and the coil begins to hot up. In fluctuating climatic conditions and winter months, the “Auto” mode is quite a better alternative.
Should My AC Be Running All Day?
The warmer the outside temperature, the longer your AC will run to provide you with expected cooling inside the house. It’s normal for your air conditioner to run all day during the summer months to maintain the desired temperature consistently.
What is Included in an AC Maintenance?
If you hire a professional HVAC company for your AC maintenance, they will:
- Check the refrigerant level
- Leakage of Refrigerant is a must.
- Measure the airflow through evaporator coils
- Verify the electrical wirings and internal wirings of your system
- Tighten the connections where required
- Check the belts and motors
- Check the thermostat setting and accuracy
Can We Use AC Without Servicing?
If your AC is making a strange noise, failing to cool down, behaving abnormally, or showing any symptoms like leaking gas or water, you need to call for an AC service right away. Many homeowners ignore servicing their air conditioners until they face any problem with their AC. Regular servicing of your AC helps in detecting many underlying issues and fixing them beforehand.
How Often Should an AC Be Cleaned?
You need to schedule a professional cleanup of your AC at least once a year. Regular cleaning of the air filters, evaporator and condenser coils, and outdoor unit upkeep the efficiency of your air conditioner and avert sudden breakdown due to clogging.
How Can I Know if My AC Coil is Muddy?
If your air conditioner is not flowing sufficient cold air, is circulating a musty odor, and is making strange noises, all can be the signs that the AC coil is dirty and needs to be cleaned with immediate action.
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