Summer brings the heat and your diligent guardian against sweating it out is your trusty air conditioner. Proper upkeep can extend the life of your AC system and prevent costly repairs and downtime. While our experienced professionals at Long’s Air Conditioning, Inc. are always ready to attend to your AC needs, we’re sharing a few DIY tips to keep your system running smoothly in Sebring, Wauchula, Avon Park, Babson Park, and Frostproof.
To begin the DIY maintenance regime, always ensure your AC system is powered off. This safety measure avoids electrical accidents while working on the system.
One of the easiest tasks you can do is to replace or clean the air filters routinely, depending on the type of filter your system uses. Clogged filters restrict the airflow reducing the system’s efficiency and increasing energy consumption.
Secondly, cleaning the air conditioner coils is another task you can handle. Over time, the AC’s evaporator and condenser coils collect dirt. This layer of dirt reduces the system’s ability to cool your home and causes the system to run longer increasing energy costs and reducing its life.
Taking care of the coil fins is another DIY tip. The aluminum fins on evaporator and condenser coils can easily be bent blocking the airflow. Using a “fin comb”, you can comb these fins back to their original condition.
Furthermore, clean around the unit. Your outdoor condenser unit needs to have clear space to have efficient airflow; therefore cleaning this area can significantly impact your system’s performance. Remove debris, trim shrubs and branches and ensure a clear passage for air.
One tip that homeowners don’t think about as much is ensuring the level of the condenser unit. Over time, the pad upon which the condenser unit sits can begin to tilt as the soil settles beneath it. An out-of-level condenser unit can cause the compressor within to fail early.
While you are giving the best shot with DIY tips, seeking help from professionals for more technical aspects is recommended. The professionals at Long’s Air Conditioning, Inc. can help you with more complicated tasks like checking the coolant level or recalibrating the thermostat.
Save yourself from an unexpected HVAC headache in Avon and Babson Park by taking the time to run simple yet effective maintenance tasks on your air conditioning system. The bonus is always lower energy costs and high system efficiency!
You now have an arsenal of DIY tips at your disposal to keep your air conditioner humming along nicely but don’t forget the best tip of all: When in doubt, always consult a professional AC repair service near you in Sebring, Wauchula, Frostproof, Avon Park, or Babson Park, FL.