As summer approaches and the days get warmer, you’ll want to know that you can turn on your air conditioner for a little relief.
Before sweltering temperatures are here to stay, make sure you perform some basic summer air conditioning maintenance tasks to make your HVAC perform its best during the peak season.
Replace Dirty Air Filters
The warm weather in Texas forces residents to use about three times as much energy on air conditioning when compared to the average U.S. household.
Replacing your air conditioner’s filter is one of the easiest things you can do to help save on your energy bill. Excessive dust in the house can cause a dirty filter, making it difficult for the system to blow air. The harder your air conditioner has to work, the more money you spend on electricity.
Clean The Evaporator Coils
Your air conditioner uses evaporator coils to remove heat and moisture from the air. If the coils are dirty, then they aren’t properly exposed to the air, making them less efficient. Even a thin layer of dust can prevent them from doing their job well.
Although this job may sound simple, cleaning your unit’s evaporator coils is a project best left to an air conditioning professional. Not sure you really need to do this, at least not for a while? Keep in mind that getting HVAC repair now will also cost less than waiting until you have a serious problem.
Inspect Your Outdoor Unit
Start your inspection by looking for and removing any debris near the air conditioner. Grass, twigs and other plant matter can clog your system, so you don’t want these materials to get sucked into your unit.
Once you remove the large debris, use a wire brush to clean the unit’s grate. You can also use a foam cleaner to dissolve small particles that may be embedded along the exterior. This may seem like very basic air conditioner maintenance that doesn’t have an impact, but a thorough cleaning can add hours of life to your system.
Check Lines For Damage
Many of the lines that connect your outdoor unit to the indoor system are exposed to the weather throughout the winter and sunshine during the summer. Over time, the lines can become eroded or rusty, which could lead to damage or other problems.
Damaged lines should be replaced by an air conditioning repair professional before the unit is turned on again. If you aren’t completely sure what you are doing and don’t attach the lines perfectly, you could have leaks where cool air is escaping all year.
Test Your Unit
Once you have prepared your air conditioner for summer by performing the checks mentioned about, you need to run your system to make sure everything is in working order. Just because you can’t see damage, that doesn’t mean there aren’t problems lurking behind the system’s panels. Is your AC system asking for help? There are several warning signs to look out for that can indicate a problem. If the system doesn’t come on or it makes strange noises, for example, then you may have a more serious problem that requires an air conditioning repair.
If you have an AC unit that needs some maintenance or repair work, a professional is best suited for the job. During the repair process, an air conditioning professional can look for signs of damage that may keep your unit from operating correctly and make any needed repairs. Meanwhile, you can save the time and hassle of attempting to do it yourself.
ABC Can Get Your AC Ready For Summer
Texas summers are hard on our air conditioners. Avoid costly repairs by having manufacturer-recommended maintenance performed by a trusted professional before peak season begins. Texas homeowners have relied on the experts at ABC Home & Commercial Services for generations to keep heating and cooling systems running smoothly, to fix any problems that might come up and to help homeowners decide when to invest in a new system. We can even handle installation. With ABC’s help, you can rest easy that your home will be cool and comfortable through the hot summer months.
