Simple And Effective Hacks To Maintain Your Air Conditioner

Maintaining your air conditioner unit will save you money in both repair bills and utility bills. There a few tasks you can do without the need for calling an expert. Please note, always make sure the air conditioner unit is switched at the unit as well as on the main distribution board inside your house before attempting any cleaning or maintenance.

If at any stage you feel uncomfortable performing any of these tasks please call an expert. You can for instance look for air conditioner installation Salt Lake City offers done professionally. They will also be able to help with maintenance.

Keep your HVAC Clean

Have a look at the outside part of your HVAC unit. Split units have both an inside blower as well as an outside condenser unit. Packaged systems have everything in one unit. The condenser unit will work more efficiently if kept clean. Check the grill as well as inside the unit where the fins are. Clean everything with a vacuum cleaner or brush and rag. You can also flush the fins from the inside by spraying water from a garden hose. Don’t use too much pressure though.

While you are out here check the area around the unit. Make sure that leaves and other debris can’t get in the unit. Maybe cut back branches and clean the immediate surrounding area. Inside your house check and clean the blower unit. The blower unit will have condenser coils inside that will also operate better if clean. Check the user manual for instructions on cleaning the two parts of the split HVAC unit. Want to know how home air conditioning works? Have a look at this infographic from Energy.gov.

Straighten the Condenser Unit Fins

Inside the condenser unit (the one outside of your home) you will find the fins. Any bent fins will reduce heat exchange efficiency. The unit will work harder and use more electricity to perform the same work. You can use a blunt tool like a butter knife to carefully straighten the fins. Be very careful not to flatten or damage the fins. You can find advice online on keeping fins straight. The fins have a hollow part and they need this to work. You can also buy a special tool for straightening the fins if you find the blunt knife to be a risky proposition. Ask at your local hardware store.

Replace the Filter

Replace the blower unit filter. A blocked filter will reduce efficiency and increase utility and maintenance costs over time. The filter will either be at the blower unit in the room or at the grill where the return air is blown into the room. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to do this. Make sure to get an appropriate filter for your unit and use case.

Check for Air Leaks in Your Home

If your insulation is installed well and doors and windows seal well your air conditioner will not have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature. Check regularly for air leaks at windows and doors. Also, check the seals around ducting and piping going outdoors from your house. One last remark is that if you find any damage to either the blower unit or condenser unit it is time to call an expert. Another indication that it might be time for an expert to have a look at your air conditioning unit is if you hear any noise from the unit inside or outside your home that you have not noticed before.