Given that the majority of us have been indoors for a lot more time this year than we usually would, those AC units have really been put through their paces. It is for this reason why AC maintenance is more important than ever before, to ensure that our systems are firing on all cylinders and giving us cool and clean air for the home. The risk of failing to maintain your AC unit is that you could end up costing yourself more money on. A damaged system could result in a visit ActronAir for new parts and systems, and costs which you hadn’t planned for.
A smart approach to caring for your AC unit will prevent these problems from taking place, and here is how to go about it.
Checking Your Air Filters
The air filters in your system are of great importance, they will take the impurities and the dirt out of the air to ensure that your home is filled with clean and cool air. If you have a reusable filter then be sure to check this every month, to clean off the dirt and debris which has accumulated. If you do not have a reusable filter then you should look to place a new filter in the system at least once every 6 weeks. If the filter is overloaded then not only will it struggle to remove pollutants from the air, but it will block airflow and cause your system to work harder than it needs to.
Cleaning the Outside Unit
Never forget about the importance of clearing the surrounding area of the outside unit. Naturally, being outside, your system runs the risk of having foliage growing around it, moss, debris, leaves and even some insects who think that they’ve found a nice new home. Any of these issues could result in an impact on the airflow coming into your system, and again this means that it is working harder than it should be. Avoid power washing in case you cause damage to the unit, instead wash the unit with a garden hose and give troublesome areas a good scrub.
Check the Wiring
If you don’t feel confident popping the outdoor unit wiring then always ensure that you get some help from a professional who will know what to do. In reality however the check is simple, as you are looking for signs of overheating. Overheating means that there is an issue with the connections, and the signs will be burnt wires, blackened marks inside the box or melted insulation tape. Check the tightness of the connections and if you have an electrical test meter, ensure that you test the unit’s capacitors.
If you are in any doubt about the functionality of your AC unit then it will always be best to ask for some support. There are many things which you can do to maintain the system, such as the fans, the electrics and the general cleanliness of the system, but if you are concerned about performance or the sound of the system, get the pros in to check.