Air conditioners, just like any other appliance, require maintenance to keep them in peak operating form. Fortunately, because an air conditioner doesn’t need any type of upkeep, such as oil changes or tire rotations, the maintenance is straightforward.
Listed in this article are some easy maintenance tips for your air conditioners at home or office. These tips are recommended by airconditioning repair St Charles IL experts, and thus are highly recommended.
Keep the coils clean
Before you do anything, it’s important to check if your air conditioner has any cooling coils on the back. If so, there is most likely an airflow that allows for easy access. Using long-handled brushes or rags attached to broomsticks, brush the dust and dirt off of the cooling coils. Then wipe down with a rag dipped in warm water and distilled vinegar solution. This will keep your AC running at peak efficiency while prolonging its life span.
Clean and maintain filters
With two removable filters in the front, one being a pre-filter and the other the main filter, it’s important to be sure you’re changing them when they’re dirty. A clogged filter chokes airflow and forces the air conditioner to work harder than necessary, thus using more energy. Change the main filters about once a month, and the pre-filters every few weeks. If you notice any poorly conditioned air coming through your vents, try changing them immediately, along with checking all vent covers for blockages.
Turn off the exterior unit
If you’d like to inspect your AC for possible problems or damages on the outside, turn off the power before removing any panels. First, switch off circuit breakers in the service panel to prevent shock hazards. Then, remove the front grill of the air conditioner and set it aside in a safe place. If you find any issues or damages, repair them accordingly.
Seal leaks in the unit
Aside from maintaining the exterior of your air conditioner, you should also check all areas where the conditioned air might escape. Using a caulk gun, seal up any cracks or gaps found along windowsills or wall studs, around doors or dryer vents, even in light fixtures near the outside unit if possible. This will save energy by preventing conditioned airflow from escaping.
Look for air leaks in the ducts and do a simple repair
A less common but still important maintenance tip is to check your ductwork. It’s possible for there to be major leaks where heat and cold air escape into the unconditioned airspace of your house or garage. While this doesn’t affect the functionality of the AC, you’ll save energy and money by stopping any flow of conditioned air from escaping outside.
This can be done with something as simple as a smoke pencil. After turning off all power to the AC unit, find an intake vent that will blow conditioned air into your home when turned on. For example, turn on the fan and hold a smoke pencil up to each register while someone else checks outside around all exterior.
Conclusion
If you have any further questions about maintaining an air conditioner, contact an AC contractor for more details on what they do for their customers. They will be able to help you with your air conditioning units anytime.
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