When the summer heat hits, it's time to make sure your air conditioner is in top shape. Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your air conditioner running efficiently and effectively. In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover the most common air conditioner maintenance tasks and how to do them. The most important maintenance task to ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to replace or clean your filters on a regular basis.
Dirty, clogged filters reduce the amount of air flow and significantly decrease system efficiency. In addition, when air flow is obstructed, dirt can bypass the filter and deposit directly on the evaporator coil, which impairs the heat absorption capacity of the coil. Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can reduce air conditioner energy consumption by 5% to 15%. It's best to change the filter every 30 days if your air conditioner is used frequently.
Installing a clean air filter is perhaps the most important periodic maintenance step to keep cool air flowing inside the house. In addition to changing your filter regularly, you should also inspect the cooling coils for frost or ice buildup. Condensation from air conditioner coils contains bacteria that can form sludge and clog the drain pipe of the condensate tray. At the start of each cooling season, inspect the seal between the air conditioner and the window frame to ensure that it comes into contact with the unit's metal housing.
Air conditioning wholesalers sell a tool called a fin comb that allows you to comb these fins until they are almost in their original state. This guarantees the refrigerant charge of the air conditioner and ensures that it meets the manufacturer's specifications: too much or too little refrigerant causes problems in the moving parts of the air conditioning system, including the compressor and the condenser. Another important maintenance task is to check and clean the condensate drain pipe. If necessary maintenance is neglected, a constant decrease in performance of the air conditioner is guaranteed, while energy consumption is constantly increasing. Homeowners who are comfortable taking a look at their home's air conditioning units can take some proactive steps (and even make some simple arrangements) to help keep their home air conditioning cool and comfortable this summer. Finally, when it's time to pack your home air conditioner condenser after summer, cover it with heavy plywood.
Your HVAC contractor will also be able to repair or replace any leaking condensate drain pan. Professional maintenance is always recommended for keeping your air conditioning system healthy, efficient, and durable. Some air conditioning unit maintenance tasks require specialized skills and knowledge of a certified, trained professional. Use this handy checklist to evaluate your HVAC system, then schedule an appointment for any air conditioner maintenance or repair you need before summer begins. We'll be happy to help you keep up to date with air conditioner maintenance or any other project. By pressing the Submit button, I consent to my information being shared with Trane-approved subsidiaries and external partners, including contacting a local Trane distributor to be contacted about products and services.
