We rely on air conditioning to keep our homes comfortable and cool, but even the best AC equipment needs regular maintenance to efficiently function. Just like every other home appliance, air conditioning units will start to show wear, developing mechanical problems and part failures during its lifetime. So, keeping your system running requires proper maintenance, and here we will explore the important tips to help you.
Learn How Your AC Works
Whether you’ve recently moved home or have just upgraded from window mounted air conditioner or fans, it is important to understand how your AC system works. While it is not necessary to understand the full mechanics of your system, you should know about how the outdoor unit contains a coil that needs to be protected from garden debris, and you’ll need to change the filters inside the internal unit.
Understand the Importance of Regular Maintenance
Your fantastic new air conditioning system will struggle to deliver optimum efficiency and performance without a little care and attention. Regular maintenance not only reduces the risk of a breakdown fault, but it can extend the usable lifespan of the equipment and save you money on repairs. A regular maintenance schedule will provide the opportunity for preventative maintenance where minor issues can be resolved before they develop into a more serious problem.
Know How to Shut Off the Power
Turning off an air conditioning equipment system can not only protect the equipment, but also make it safer. If there is a repair issue, you need to ensure that power is no longer going to the equipment. This will reduce the risk of more damage and ensure that your home and family is protected against electric shock or fire. You need to familiarize yourself with how to shut off the power to your system and test it by adjusting your thermostat.
Clean Your Outdoor Unit
We mentioned above the importance of understanding how your air conditioner works and this knowledge will help you to perform some basic maintenance yourself. One of these tasks is cleaning the outdoor unit. The outdoor condenser unit should be cleaned at least once a year, but you may need to check it if there has been adverse weather, such as storms or high winds before you use the system. Any leaves, dirt or other garden debris will need to be removed as it blocks airflow and can create excessive strain on the unit. You will also need to check that the unit is level, as if the condenser has shifted it can compromise function.
Clean Your Coils
When the evaporator coils become dirty, they will not be able to dehumidify and cool your home efficiently. The coils function by heat transfer allowing air to pass over the coil, but this air can contain particulates such as pollen, dust, and dirt. When the coils become clogged with this debris, it can reduce functionality by up to 30% and in severe cases may cause additional strain on the system, triggering a cascade failure. The specific instructions for cleaning the coils on your air conditioning system can be found in your owner’s manual.
Air conditioning maintenance is vital for optimum performance and efficiency, but if you have concerns about your system ensure that you speak to an experienced HVAC professional for further help.