Air conditioning is a must for most homes in the hot and humid summer months. Maintenance is key to ensure your AC unit lasts all season long and doesn’t break during peak heat. Maintenance on any appliance that runs nonstop for months is necessary to avoid breaking down when you need it most. While you can hire an expert or technician to come out once a season and check up on it for you, some things are easy enough for anyone to do at home. Checking your air conditioner regularly will ensure that it lasts as long as possible.
You can do a few things to maintain proper humidity levels in your home. The first is to make sure your AC’s indoor coil is clean. A buildup of dirt and dust particles can affect the airflow and reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner. If they are too dirty, they can even cause your AC to break. If you notice that your indoor coil is particularly dirty, try cleaning it with a solution of water and vinegar. Another way to maintain proper humidity levels is to ensure proper drainage in your AC unit. If water isn’t flowing properly out of your AC unit, it can cause the unit to break down. If your AC unit is installed on the ground and not hanging on the wall, you can also check to ensure there aren’t any puddles of water collecting around it. Home Authority is here with a new maintenance guide:
Maintain Good Humidity Levels
An important maintenance tip is to keep an eye on the temperatures inside and outside your home. If the temperature inside is lower than the outside temperature, you may have a problem with humidity. A way to reduce indoor humidity is by increasing the amount of fresh air inside your home. Open windows or install exhaust fans in rooms with high humidity levels, such as the kitchen or bathroom. Another quick and easy way to reduce indoor humidity is by increasing the amount of sweating. Sweating naturally removes excess water from your body, decreasing indoor body humidity. Both of these appliances can be controlled with a thermostat. You can also open windows to let in some fresh air. If the humidity is too low, you can increase it by turning up your indoor thermostat or using a humidifier. You can also increase ventilation by opening windows.
Change Your Air Filters
Air filters are important for all appliances, but they’re particularly important for air conditioners. Dirty air filters are a breeding ground for mould and mildew, which can cause your AC to break down more quickly. Changing your air filters at least once a month will prevent this. If the air filter is particularly dirty, clean it with soap and water and let it dry before putting it back in your AC. You can also replace your air filters more often if you have pets or a particularly dirty environment.
Check Your Condenser Coils
The condenser coil is what transfers heat from your indoor AC to the outdoor AC. If you notice that your AC isn’t cooling your house down, it’s possible that the condenser coil is dirty and needs to be cleaned. You can test out your AC by measuring the temperature of the indoor coil and the outdoor coil. If the indoor coil is hotter, then the outdoor coil is too dirty to function properly. You can clean the condenser coil by using a garden hose to spray water on both sides of the coil. Make sure to get the dirt and grime off both sides of the coil to ensure optimal performance.
Check Your Dampers and Vents
If you’ve cleaned your condenser coil and your AC is still underperforming, your ducts and vents may be dirty. You can test this by putting your hand in the duct and feeling for grime. You’ll need to clean your ducts if your hand comes out dirty. You can clean your ducts in a few ways. You can hire a professional to come out to your house and clean your ducts, or you can do it yourself with a handheld vacuum. Make sure to clean your return and supply vents too. If you clean your ducts, which are still too dirty, there’s possibly something wrong with them. You may have a rodent infestation or a duct collapse. If you think this might be the case, you may want to hire a professional to come out and check your ducts.
Check Your Electronic Controls
It would be best if you also ensured that the AC gets power by testing the outlet. AC units can have issues from being in the weather for too long, and it is important to ensure that your AC is in good condition. Sometimes, AC units can stop working because of clogged air filters. Ensure your air filter is clean to ensure your AC is running smoothly. Also, make sure that the batteries are fresh. You can also clean any dust off the controls to ensure they operate optimally. If you notice that the buttons on your controls aren’t responding, it may be time to replace the control unit.
Maintain Proper Drainage
If you have an AC that is installed outside, it’s important to make sure there is proper drainage around it. Standing water around your AC can cause the unit to break down. Ensure your AC isn’t backed up against a wall or a flower bed. If your AC is backed up against something, find a way to move it so that it has proper drainage. You can also install a drainage system around your AC if you can’t move it. It’s also important to clean out any debris clogging your drainage.
Final Take
Hiring a professional to inspect and clean your unit once a year will help keep it running at its best through the hot months. A thorough inspection will uncover any issues that need to be addressed before they become serious problems. An AC repair specialist will be able to advise you on the best way to maintain your system so that it keeps cooling your home without any issues. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do at home to maintain your AC so that it lasts all season long. Maintain good humidity levels, change your air filters, check your condenser coils, check your dampers and vents, and maintain proper drainage.